IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSEO 

(716)  •72-4S03 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVl/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiquet 


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The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
wliich  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checlced  below. 


D 


D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couieur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag6e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculte 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couieur 


□    Coloured  inic  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  blacic)/ 
Encre  de  couieur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couieur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
RellA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  Interior  margin/ 

La  re  iiure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
iors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
male,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  it6  f  ilmtes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  At*  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couieur 


D 
D 
0 
0 
0 


D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicoiortes,  tachettes  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


T 

P 

o 
fi 


O 
b 
t» 
si 
o 

fi 

si 
o 


I     I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppi^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


T 
si 

Tl 
w 

H 
di 
ei 
bi 

ri( 
re 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmtes  A  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  f  ilmA  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

»X 

^ 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  hu  b««n  r«produc*d  thanks 
to  tha  genarotity  of: 

Library, 

Department  of  National  Defence 


L'axamplaira  film6  fut  raproduit  grAca  A  la 
ginArositA  da: 

Bibliothdque, 

Miniitire  de  la  DMenie  Nationale 


Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  iagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion,  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaaion. 


Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  iti  reproduitas  avec  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  l'axamplaira  film«,  at  an 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmaga. 

Laa  axamplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  ast  imprimte  sont  filmAs  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  emprainte 
d'impraasion  ou  d'iilustration.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Tous  las  autras  axamplairas 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraasion  ou  d'iilustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darniira  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aaeh  microflcha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  ^^-  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appliaa. 


Un  daa  symboias  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microfiche,  salon  le 
cas:  la  symboia  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plataa,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmad  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ara  filmad 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  frames  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Lea  cartas,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvent  dtra 
fiimte  i  das  taux  de  reduction  diff brents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtra 
raproduit  an  un  saul  ciichi.  il  est  filmd  A  partir 
da  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droita, 
at  da  haut  an  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagea  ndcassaira.  Les  diagrammas  suivants 
iilustrant  la  mithode. 


1  2  3 


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1     t 

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2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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IMPARTIAL  AND    CORRECT 

HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 

BETWEEN   THE 

UNITED  STATES  OP  AMERICA, 

AND 

GBEAT  BBITAIN5 

COMPRISING 
A  PARTICULAR  DETAIL   OF   THE 

J^TAVAL  aJVD  MILlTJlur  OPEBATIOXS, 

AND   A    FAITHFUL    RECORD    OF  THE    EVENTS   pRODU* 
CED   DURING   THE   CONTEST. 

From  its  Commencement,  June  18, 1812,  ^0  ^Ae  Treaty 

of  Peace,  ratified  at  the  City  of  Washington, 

February  17,  1815. 


BY  T.  O'CONNOR. 

gmtSf  (foitiotf >  tfHAm  anil  tomtttt* 


CAREFULLY   COMPILED  FROM  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS. 


•  ■  ■'-    Hi 

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JTEW'TORK: 

PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  LOW, 

NO.  62  VESEl -STREET. 


1817. 


35"^/ 
OAl 


X'b  9A>^*i,  ,/'rf) 


District  ofJS/'eW'York,  ss. 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  od  the  (weuty-third  day  of  December,  m 

the  forty-first  year  of  the  [ndependence  of  the  United  States  of 

JLt,   S.  ■America,  John  Low,  of  the  said  district,  hath  deposited,  in  this 

office  the  title  of  a  Book,  the  right  whereof,  he  claims  as  Proprietor 

in  the  words  following  to  wit : 

"  An  Impartial  and  Correct  History  of  the  War  between  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  Great  Britain,  conmrising  a  pr  rticnlar  detail  of  the 
Naval  and  Military  operations,  and  a  faithful  record  of  the  events  produced 
darinr  the  contest    From  its  Commencement,  June  18, 1 8 IS,  to  the  Trea- 

8  of  Peace,  ratibed  at  the  City  of  Washington,  February  1 7, 181 5.     By  T. 
'Connor.    Fourth  edition,  revised  and    corrected.    Carefully  compiled 
from  dficial  documents." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled, 
"  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of 
Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies 
during  the  time  therein  mentioned.  And  also  to  an  act  entitled  **  An  act 
supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  encourage)  nebt  of  learning, 
by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  pro- 
pr.<«tors  of  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extending 
the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  desigiiing,  engraving  and  r  tching  historictu 
and  other  prints." 

THERON   BODD, 

Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of,Ye0'Y$rk. 


/^ 


/v 


-,,,„_^  ^'/^'*r*A>*' 


PREFACE. 

NO  era,  in  the  moral  world,  has  excited  the 
public  cariosity,  or  effected  the  general  interest 
of  mankind,  more  than  the  discovery  of  a  west- 
ern continent,  in  the  year  14*92.    Attracted  as  the 
public  mind  was  by  that  event,  yet  its  resulting 
importance  was  not  then  fully  anticipated  by  the 
most  extravagant  hopes,  or  the  most  acute  prog- 
nostics*    To  convert  the  natural  riches  of  the 
new  world  to  the  advantsige  of  the  old,  was  tho 
only  object  which  the  lyings  of  Europe  wished  to 
accomplish,  or  intended  to  essay.    Neither  k^ing 
nor  subject  expected  that   the  western  world 
would  become  the  seat  of  empires,  independent 
of  European  rulers  ;  much  less  did  they  expect, 
that  the  future  monarchs  of  the  east  would  meet 
in  the  new  world,  rivals  capable  of  opposing  and 
defeating  attempts  at  continuing  in  political  sub- 
jection, the  descendants  of  emigrants,  led  to  the 
new  continent  by  cupidity,  driven  to  it  by  perse- 
cution or  banished  as  an  expiation  of  their  crimes. 

It  was  not  until  long  after  the  first  settlement 
of  America  by  Europeans,  that  it  was  sagacious- 
ly observed,  that, "  the  new  world  seemed  destin- 
ed  to  give  laws  to  the  old."  The  observation 
drew  forth  but  the  derision  or  contempt  of  the 
hearers  and  readers.  A^ophecy  so  improbable* 
and  which  could  not|  i(  was  supposed,  benecom- 


i 


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14 


4  TREFACB. 

plishedy  if  at  ally  in  a  hundred  centuries,  vtm 
deemed  too  peurile  to  be  credited^  and  too  distant 
to  be  dreaded. 

The  Revolutionary  ^yar  gave  the  first  substan- 
tial proof  that  materials  for  all  the  purposes  of 
self  goTernment  existed  in  America.  In  propor- 
tion as  the  genius  and  resources  of  the  inhabitants 
were  developed,  in  the  same  degree  did  they  find 
advocates  in  dificrent  parts  of  the  i^rorld,  who 
•ither  saw  with  pleasure  the  successful  prospect 
which  opened  itself  to  the  people  of  the  United 
Statesi  (late  British  colonies,)  secretly  encour- 
aged and  relieved  theioi,  or  openly  supported  and 
assisted  them.  The  happy  termination  of  thia 
o'ontest,  led  to  the  belief,  that  the  theories  of  po« 
litieal  prophets  were  not  only  probable,  but  their 
eonsummation  less  distant  than  had  been  hither- 
to supposed. 

The  United  States,  having  by  the  treaty  of 
peace  of  1783,  become  a  nation  by  the  consent  of 
all  other  nations,  had  as  if  to  begin  the  worlds 
without  any  other  capital  than  the  virtue  of  the 
citizens,  and  without  security  against  foreign 
aggression,  exeept  what  eould  be  drawn  from 
their  own  courage  and  patriotism. 

As  yet  their  population  was  little  moi*e  than 
three  millions  of  inhabitants ;  the  want  of  a  well 
consolidated  confederation  vendered  the  govern* 
ment  weak  ;  and  the  many  incidents  and  difllcul- 
ties  attending  the  attempt  to  reconcile  various 
interests  with  a  general  principle,  increased  this 
difilcnlty.    The  speculations  as  to  tl\e  futuredeiD* 


11 


FREVACE.  9 

tiniee  of  Ibe  people  ivere  varioui.  England  had 
ooncluded  peace  pro  forma,  but  she  oontinued 
hostile  in  iTaet.  Great  Britain  was  but  a  small 
island^  yet  her  sovereign  was  a  king  over  exten- 
sive regions,  and  many  islands  in  various  parts  of 
the  globe :  the  example  of  several  of  her  ealoBies 
rejeoting  her  authority,  and  uniting  in  support  of 
each  other,  was  dangerous  to  the  parent  oonntrj ; 
it  was  found  Impossible  to  subdue  them  by  foree, 
■U  was  determined  to  do  so  by  intrigue^  cori^p- 
tton  and  robbery. 

The  colonies  remedied  one  great  ineonvenienee 
by  forming  a  general  constitution  in  1789,  which 
stands  an  unrivalled  instanee  of  patriotism,  wis- 
dom, and  justice  ;  a  rapid  growth  of  population* 
.and  extension  of  commerce,  a  cultivation  of  liter- 
ature, arts  and  sciences,  were  fast  advancing  to  a 
point  that  would  outrival  Englandin  every  respect* 

As  ibis  state  of  things  advanced  in  Amerieat 
England  proceeded  to  measures  of  increased  vio- 
leneeandiiyustioe.  Seeking  for  prete7t%  in  prin- 
ciples novd,  unknown  to  other  nations,  tad  even 
oontravening  her  own  establii||ied  practiee,  she  left 
to  America  the  alternative  of  submission  toher  will 
or  resistance  by  w^,|  the  latter  was  resorted  tow 
.|The  history  of  %  BevoluJionavy  war  is  al- 
ready Wore  the  piibU<p.  It  is  a  v^uable  record 
of  whjAl  men  deterinined  to  be  free,  can  do.  Thia 
Wi^  brought  into  a  phalanx  that  mass  of  military 
patipiotlsmi  which  under  the  immwtal  WAnnKx, 
Aoaii^eneed  its  career  of  glory  at  Bimker-hill; 


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and  terminated  it,  ander  the  immortal  lYASHiira^ 
T0N9  at  York-tawR. 

The  tasky  now  undertaken^  must  be  interest- 
ing to  every  citizen  of  the  United  States,  A  re- 
oord  of  the  seeond  struggle  against  the  same  en- 
emy,  who  during  seven  yours  of  revolutionary 
eon  testy  earried  fire  and  sword,  the  bayonet,  the 
halter,  and  the  tomahawk,,  throughout  the  Unit- 
ed States,  wiU  surely  be  an  aceeptable  treat.      ^ 

The  military  talents  whieli  sprang  as  if  into  11 
miraeulous  existence  during  the  late  war  ;  the 
patriotic  eourage  which  displayed  itself  on  every 
oecasion ;  their  successful  triumphs  in  almost 
•very  battle,  are  proud  proofs,  that  where  genius 
is  free  to  act,  and  that  inftuenoed  by  an  amor 
pofrtcB,  no  dangers  are  to  diffieult  tc  averoome^ 
no  difficulties  too  great  to  be  subdued,   ' 

The  apparent  military  and  navalpower  of  Elig^ 
}and  was,  to  tiiat  of  America,  at^tiie  commence- 
Mient  of  the  late  war,  as  that  of  the  lion  te  the 
lamb  ;  but  the  incensed  eagle  stretched  forward 
his  beak,  and  with  it  tore  the  hmrd  from  the 
Briton's  brow  ;*  and,  flying  over  the  waters,  he- 
wrested  with  his  talons,,  the  trident  fbom  the 
^  mistress  of  the  deeft.'^ 

In  giving  details  of  these  events,  these  imper-^ 
ishable  monuments  of  American  glory,  a  striet 
regaid  has  been  had  to  truth,  umnilueneed  1^ 
any  unworthy  oonsideration,  and  it  is  hoped  tlnil 
this  small  volume  will  be  fbnndto  contain  as  oe» 
pious  a  view  of  history  as  could  reasonably  be  ex*^ 
f  eoted  w.UhiD  so  ctreumscrihed  a  compasSi. 


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AMERICA  seenis  to  have  been  clestinedy  bjr 
Providencey  as  the  soil  which  should  fpve  birth» 
strength,  and  maturity  te  rational  liberty  t  in 
this  respectf  its  discovery  must  be  considered  of 
prime  benefit  to  mankind.  Columbus,  a  lover  of 
Justiee,  would  have  fixed  the  residence  of  lib- 
erty In  South  America,  but  this  extraordinary 
adventurer  became  the  ol\ject  of  persecuting  en- 
vy, he  was  sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of  ambition 
and  tyranny  ;  and,  the  southern  peninsula,  the 
only  part  of  the  western  eontinent  whieh  Co- 
lumbus had  visited,  was  given  up  to  eupidlty^ 
plunder^  and  the  most  horrifie  ill-treatment  anil 
massacre  of  its  hospitable  inhabitants.  The 
fiotitious  riches,  the  gold^  whioh  it  produced^ 
invited  an  early  and  eontinued  migration  front 
the  old  to  the  new  eontinent,  insomneh,  that  the 
latter  has  already  lost,  in  a  great  degree^  its 
original  uncultivated  aspect}  and,  were  the  ge- 
nius of  its  new  inhabitants  not  restrained  by  the 
policy  of  its  rulers,  would,  erenow,  have  advanc- 
ed fkr  towards  all  perfection,  to  which  man  cair 
as|Nre.  For  more  than  300  years,  has  Soutit 
Amerioa  bowed  to  the  will  of  despots,  and  man 
has  presented  but  the  disgusting  (ionirast  of  ty- 
rants and  slaves*  A  patriotie  lame  has  lateljr 
Effused  a  gleam  of  light  through  the  darkened 
a4fl|o^li£re  whleh  eversjjread  the  political  c«k 


\[ 


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i^: 


•  BISTORT  OV  THE  WAV. 

gion  of  the  south ;  man  begins,  there  to  assume 
the  chai-aoter  for  which  Gud  Hnd  nature  had 
destined  him  ;  and  philanthropy  may  hope*  that 
-  the  present  generation  will  nol  pass  away,  until 
liberty  will  smile  over  every  part  of  Ameriea> 
and  all  its  inhabitants  be  happy. 

The  inordinate  ambition  of  hereditary  gov- 
ernmentS)  and  their  just  jealousness  of  each  oth- 
er, have  gi?en  an  unbounded  spring  to  the  desire 
of  e^^tended  dominion  and  foreign  eonquests.— 
'  This  spirit,  however  injurious,  has»  in  some  re- 
speets,  contributed  towards  the  increased  know- 
ledge of  geography,  the  diffusion  of  general  in- 
formation, and  the  facilitating  of  a  social  inter- 
course between  the  inhabitants  of  distant  re- 
gions. 

England,  famed  for  the  adventurous  spirit  of 
its  inhabitants,  and  the  unequalled  ambition  of 
its  sovereigns,  could  not  remain  an  indilferent 
spectator  of  an  European  rival  taking  posses- 
sion of  a  new  world.  Expeditions  were  soon 
formed  for  the  more  perfect  discovery  of  the 
new  continent.  John  Cabot,  having  obtained 
a  commission  from  Henry  the  7th  of  Engfandf 
to  discover  unknown  lands,  and  annex  them  to 
'the  crown,  discovered  the  eastern  coast  of  North 
America  ;  Sir  Francis  Drake,  subsequentlyt 
sailed  along  it ;  anf  England,  by  right  of  prior 
discovery,  claimed  Its  so vereigntv.  Gold  mines 
are  generally  confined  to  tropical  climates  ;  the 
soil  of  North  America,  contiguous  to  the  sea> 
appeared  to  be  light,  sandy,  or  unfit  for  profita- 
ble cultivation  ;  the  climate  was  variable  and 
unhealthy ;  the  aborigines  were  more  savage 
and  inhospitable  than  those  of  the  south.  No 
adequate  inducement  presented  itself  to  new  set- 
"dersi  and^  had  the  iohabltants  of  £nglatidi» 


^ 


U18T0UY   OV  THE   WAB. 


necessity  for  quilling  thoir  natire  oountr^y  thej 
never  would  discover  a  wish  to  transfer  their 
residence  to  the  then  inhospitable  elimate  of 
North  America.  A  stimulus  was  not  long 
wanting. 

The  granting  of  immense  traets  of  uncultiva- 
ted wilds  to  individuals  or  eompaniesy  was  not 
likely  to  induce  any  rapid  settlement.  Individ- 
uals might,  for  the  purpose  of  enhancing  the 
value  of  their  personal  fortunes.  Influence 
emigrants  to  settle  on  their  new  estates  ;  and 
these  settlers,  having  changed  their  residence^ 
might  be  compelled  to  abide  by  a  ehoioe  from 
which  it  would  be  diffionlt  or  impossible  to  re- 
cede.  But  their  reports  and  their  fate  would 
reaoh  their  friends  ;  emigration  would  cease  ov 
be  too  slow  for  any  effioient  purpose  ;  decrease 
of  populatlont  by  insalubrity  of  elimatCt  and  the 
inroads  of  Indians,  would  be  little,  if  at  alU  over* 
balanced  by  births,  and  thie  accet«lon  of  tragi* 
ported  felons. 

Man,  in  all  stages,  is  a  lover  of  liberty,  reft* 
son  dictates  that  he  has  rights  ;  but  this  reason 
obscured  by  artificial  igmininoe  and  enervated 
by  habitual  bondage,  becomes  incapable  of  ao« 
tion,  and  insensible  to  the  true  extent  of  his  mise- 
ry. The  slave  feels  pain,  without  knowing 
whence  it  originates,  or  how  It  should  be  reme- 
died. This  observation  is  strictly  applicable 
only  to  corporeal  slavery.  The  slavery,  exer- 
cised over  the  conscienee,  is  that,  in  support  of 
which  no  sophistry  can  prevail ;  and,  to  whiohf 
no  term,  no  length  of  endurance,  can  reconcile 
the  sufferer.  No  prescription  can  justify  the 
praetiee  of  enslavement  in  any  ease ;  and  ne 
slave,  however  abject,  will  admit  it  in  cases  af- 
fecting hia  eonsdence.    God  has  iostHled^  iitta 


% 


m 

T'l 


10 


HISTOBT   OF  THE   WAR. 


Ik 


1 


■  > 


the  heart  of  man,  certain  religious  duties  ;  and> 
'Whenever  the  firifilment  of  these  is  forbidden  by 
*'hunian  edicts^  the  injured  person  fears  not  to 
revolt  or  seek  an  asylum  agaii^st  perseeutiouo 
"With  God  on  his  side^  he  fears  no  other  power^ 
and  can  be  happy  in  a  wilderness  or  in  a  cave. 

It  is  not  now  necessary  to  enter  into  a  detailed 
*:tiew  of  the  persecutions  against  Christians  in 
^£uropc.  Who  that  has  not  heard  of  them  ?  It 
is  sufficient  to  observe,  that  no  difficulties,  real 
or  imaginary,  could  deter  the  persecuted  Chris- 
tians from  seeking  an  asylumy  where,  free  from 
interruption,  they  might  adore  their  God,  as 
conscience  dictated.  America  offered  that  asy- 
lum ;  and  to  this  circumstance  it  is  due,  that 
the  wilderness  is  so  fast  giving  way  to  cultiva- 
tion ;  the  intern^il  resources  of  the  country  have 
been  explored  and  rendered  operative^, the  seem- 
ing insurmountable  objects  of  the  new  coun- 
try have  disappeared,  and  a  «tate  of  comfort 
equal  to  that  of  any  part  of  Europe  has  been 
produced. 

This  comfort  was  wickedly  marred  by  the 
British  Government,  while  it  ruled  the  North 
American  colonies.  A  desire  to  proceed  to  the 
chief  object  of  this  work,  and  its  limits  preclud- 
ing any  particular  reeital  of  these  evils,  leaves 
only  room  to  remark,  that  they  were  such  as  to 
create  much  unhappiness  in  the  coK>nies,  to  pro- 
duce complaints,  remonstrances,  and  petitions 
'  to  the  mother  country ;  and  finally,  were  car- 
ried  to  such  excess,  as  to  be  no  longer  suffer- 
ahle. 

On  the  ever  to  be  remembered  4th  July,  1776, 

the  people  of  these  colonies,  by  their  represen- 

.  tatives  in  congress  assembled,  having  published 

fi  moderate,  but  firm^  a  grievous,  but  true  stat«« 


BISTORT  OF  THE   WAB* 


It 


metit  of  the  multiplied  injuries*  inflicted  OD  thenoy 
by  the  British  king  and  government*  declared 
that  the  united  colonies  «  arc*  and  of  right 
ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  states."  These 
United  colonies  consisted  of  the  states  of  New- 
Hampuhire*  Massachusetts,  Rhode- Island,  Con- 
necticut, New- York,  New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania^ 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia*  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina,  and  Georgia;  leaving  England 
in  possession  of  the  provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower 
Canada,  New-Brunswick,  and  Nova- Scotia. 

The  contest,  which  succeeded,  was  looked  on 
by  the  worlds  with  astonishment :  its  novelty 
and  its  Impolrtance  excited  general  interest.  A 
few  people,  without  an  army,  without  armsr 
without  discipline,  or  munitions  of  war,  without 
money,  without  allies,  opposing  their  unorgan- 
ized fbrce  against  a  nation  rich  and  pawerfulf 
with  numerous  ships,  armies,  and  navies,  hav- 
ing discipline,  moneys  credit,  and  all  the  means 
of  warfare,  and  being  in  possession  of  the  colo- 
nies,  the  inhabitants  of  which  declared  them- 
selves absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain,  was  a  crisis  of  uncommon  mo- 
ment. The  contest  wfts  long  and  severe ;  a  blood- 
thirsty vengeance  on  one  side,  led  the  British  to 
the  most  shameful  excesses ;  a  determination  to 
live  free  or  die,  guided  the  people  of  America^ 
under  the  direction  of  the  great  Washington^ 
and  the  other  sages  and  patriots  iu  the  field: 
and  the  cabinet,  to  a  completion  of  all  they 
wafited,  all  they  wished.  I^ranny  looked  down> 
liberty  rejoiced,  on  the  completion  of  the  happy 
triumph. 

The  Wound  Ihflicted  on  the  pride  and  interest 
of  England,  by  this  disruption  of  her  empire^ 
was  truly  gteat^  but  still  {greater  than  was  then 


#' 


^ 


12 


SISTOET  OV  TE  WAB. 


•ti(^]^a<ed.  Undel*  tbe  dcnninioB  of  fingtUnd^ 
the  inepeaae  of  population  woaki  be  elow^  tU^ 
jiierease  of  oomiiieree  and  manufactures  still 
t/Lomer  :  the  country  would:  be  a  warehouse  fot 
British  inainifaetur(»i  the  inhabitants!  a  nursery 
£»p  British  ar mieii  and  navies.  It  was  neoessafy 
that  a  people  shooki  be  free  $  that  genius  should 
ba  unehephedy  inihistry  unrestrained^  in  order 
to  p>oTe  howi  far  free  men  were  superior  to 
whatevei!  theory,  eould  eonoeive  of  them.  The 
i^xperiment  has  been  suoeessfully  tried  in  thei 
Uaited  States. 

'  Ufae  country  of  a  monarch  would  not  in  a  cen-r 
tnry  roeover  from  injury  snob  as  had  been  suf^ 
fefediby^Uie  United  States.  But  the  people  of 
i^^ridHitielt  aU  their  toils  and  losses  cdnipen-* 
sated  byvthe  acquisition  of  freedom  ;  they  st6o(| 
eseet»  and*  as  If  by  magio^  appeared  in  all  tho 
might  of  a  nation,  in  less  than  thirty  yearsy 
their  country  shook  off  the  appearance  of  a  howl-; 
ing  wiklernesSf  their  population  increased  thre^' 
fiAAf  their  manufactures  tnereased  so  as  to  su|^: 
ply  nearly  all  their  wants,  and  every  sea  wit-- 
nessed  their  immensely  inoreased  externa!  traderi:^ 
in  short  they  became  the  H val s  of  England. 

A  long  course  of  warsyand  the  revcrfutlonary'^ 
war  of  Ameriea,  more  than  any  other^  increaseii^ 
the  nationaldebt  of  Great  BHtain  totk^tCiXtim^ 
burtlwnsome  amount.    To  meet  this  exigeiloyi^ 
as  well  as  to  gratify  the  national  wish,  and  td 
provide  for  the  further  and  growing  charges'  fa 
support  of  foreign  eoloniesy  an  increased  trade  ^ 
Wfti  necessary,    llie  industry  of  E^nglishnteh'  - 
showed  itself  in  the  »uceesst\il  and-unnarallel^Ml 
esteosion  of  her  manufactures^'  and  tne  pq!ley 
of  her  rulers,  aimed  at  an  undivided  foreign; 
comme?ce9  in  support  of  thA  home*  system.       '  ^ ' 


;^j5*u 


BIITO&T  OV  THE  WAR. 


i8 


The  naval  suecesses  of  BritvJiiy  during  the 
Freneh  war^  had  nearly  aeoonplhhed  her  vast 
design.  The  vhips  of  Holland,  Franee^  Portn- 
galy  S|iaia9  and  Italy*  had  nearly  disappeared 
fitini  the  oeean  ;  those  of  Rnssia,  and  the  other 
naval  powers  of  the  north  of  Enrope,  had  heen 
gained  over  to  the  British  interest*  or  destroyed 
by  the  superiority  of  her  fleets.  The  United 
States*  although  in  a  state  of  infhncy*  was  yet 
the  only  nation  that  had  virtue  or  courage  snfll- 
eient  to  move  in  a  just  course*  uninflueueed  by 
intrigue*  and  unlntimidated  by  menace.  To- 
wards this  nation*  Britain  for  years  manifested 
the  most  ungenerous*  injurious  and  cowardly 
conduct ;  amounting*  in  its  eflSscts*  to  war*  whfle 
^e  United  States  pursuing  an  honourable  and 
pacific  course*  was  debarred  from  making  repri- 
sal. This  om  Msd  war*  had  it  been  permitted 
to  continue*  would  have  sunk  the  States  in  the 
esteem  of  foreign  nations*  dried  up  the  sources  of 
their  growing  greatness,  redneed  them  to  a  state 
of  contempdSle  imbecility*  and*  not  imprebably« 
to  a  merited  state  of  dependsinee-— they  m%htf 
again  beeome  colonies— British  colonies* 

Hithene  the  Americans  looked  but  little  to 
home  manufactures*  the  capital  of  the  merchant 
was  employed  on  the  ocean*  and  the  people  of 
the  interior  found  suflleient  employment  in  til- 
ling  the  soil.  There  was  a  ffreat  and  profita- 
ble demand  for  every  kind  of  ^produce*  and  the 
citizens  were  in  the  habit  of  receiving  mano!^e<^' 
tures  of  all  kinds  from  foreign  nations*  and  par-"^ 
tieu}arly  from  En^ad. 

,  Had  England  been  satisfied  to  contend  for 
enmmareial  superiority  by  fkir  meaas*  sb<|| 
would  long^  vei;;^  long*  continue  to  suj^ly  th«^ 
United  States  with  almost  every  kind  9i  mann- 


> . 


H 


HISTORY  Off  THE  WiJ|» 


/ 
El/ 


I 
I 

i 


I 


ti 


faotiire  ;  but  ghe  calculated  that  tlie  paeifio  pol* 
icy  of  the  States  would  continuer  and  that  th6 
pmitical  disputes  among  her  own  citizens  would 
render  her  a  weak  enemy  eYen  in  war ;  and  it 
is  even  probable^  that  the  resuhjugation  of  the 
eolonies  were  in  a  certain  expected  event  eon* 
temi^ated.  That  event  was  to  be  the  overthrow 
of  France.  Had  the  United  States  unresisting- 
ly submitted  until  the  restoration  of  the  Bour- 
bons, she  would  then  have  had  war  with  a  ven* 
lieanoe. 

^  The  history  of  the  present  king  of  Great 
Britain^  (says  the  declaration  of  independence)  is 
a  history  of  repeated  ii\juries  and  usurpations." 
This  would)  at  this  day  be  a  just  representatioii 
of  the  conduct  of  Great  firitaiuy  froai  the  ter* 
mination  of  the  revolutionary,  to  the  oommeneo* 
Inent  of  the  present  war.  Instead  of  dwelling 
more  minutely  on  it,  it  is  sufficient  to  say*  tliat 
it  was  so  continued,  so  multiplied  and  mullifa* 
rions,  that  the  United  States  had  no  alternative^ 
but  submission  to  wrongs  by  which  they  would 
be  degraded  as  a  nation,  or  an.  appeal  to^arms. 
The  latter  was  resorted  to,  ■; 

OA  Monday,  the  1st  of  Jun^,  a  confidential 
laessage  was  received,  in  both  ohambers  of  Coii-> 
l^ress,  from  the  President  of  the  United  States* 
^yhich  was  read  witb  closed  doors^  and  referrod^ 
kieaeh  house,  to  committees  to  report  thereon. 
^  The  Biitish  aggressions,  to  which  the  Presi-* 
dent,  in '  a  particular  manner^  called  tha^  atten- 
tion of  GmigresB^  were,  ♦v  *  •  *,. 

^  I.  Impressments  of  Ameriean  citizens  while'lN^'' 
ihg  on  the  highway  of  nations,  dragging  thcMki'  on 
hord  their  ships  of  war,  and  forelng^  them-to^^^rve' 
ai^nst  nations  in  amity  with  the  United  States^  >«nd 
even  to  assist^  on  aggnsssions'an  4heir  £eiloic«-citiBiiis 
when  met  on  the  hi«h  seas* 


J  - 


4h« 


9 


H19T01IT  Of  THE  WAB. 


M 


X  Violating  the  rights  and  peace  of  our  coasts 
and  harboursy  harassing  our  departing  commerce) 
and  wantonly  spiliiog  American  blood  within  our 
territorial  jurisdiction. 

,  S,  Under  pretended  blpcV^ades,  plundering  our 
commerce  in  every  sea^  no  adequate  force  being  ap^ 
pU^d  to  render  such  blpcHades  legal}  and  their  being 
enforced  from  the  date  of  the  notification,  by  which 
tliey  had  a  retrospective  efTect. 

4.  illegal  blocKa^es,  under  the  name  of  Orders  ia 
Council.    ' 

5.  The  employment  of  a  secret  agent,  within  the 
United  States,  whh  a  view'  to  subvert  our  govern- 
ment, and  dls^emiier  the  Union. "- '    '-'*  ^  - 

'6.  BneouragiAg  thesavagd  In^ans  to  make  war 
•n  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
V  The' blockade^  under  the  name  of  Orders  nK 
Connolly  was  11m  only  ebapge  whioh  tho  Bckt sh 
minister  pretondad  40  jastify  ;  and  lliis  U  nol  on 
ally  law  of  imtionfl^  hut  as  an  aet  of  neoessary  ro- 
tauation  ^on  Franeo^  for  equally  illegal  bloekadei^ 
Hnder  the  namea^  of  Berlin  and  Milan  deerees* 
it  skould  be  here  remarked^  that  one  of  the  Sri- 
tiiA  illegal  aots  was  dated  in  Ma^yl^Hf  and 
•ould  not  be  a  retaliation*  beeause  It  was  ante- 
•eedent  to  the  French  deereea.  It  sbovld  also 
be  observed,  that  the  Britlshy  s^rtbe  publlea- 
lion  of  the  Freneh  deerees*  deolared  that  tlMs 
bloekade  of  May*  ise«,  was  eompireheadedin  the 
Orders  in  CouneiU  dated  sabsequent  to  tke 
French  deerees;  thus  endeavouring  to  prove  tbat 
a  bloekade*  aotimlly  instittited  before  tne  ¥reneli 
deereesy  must  be  eonsidered  as  properly  O0i&- 
meneed  after  tlie  proknulgation  of  the  Frenebi 
deerees. 

The  objeet  of  this  manceu vre*  was  to  deelare^ 
4hat  should  the  Fteneh  deorees,  be  repealed*  thO 
repeal  of  the  Brithb  Orders  in  Canneil  should 


i-'i 


s^ 


»j>^ 


16 


H18T9BT  07  THE  WAS. 


1. 

'J. 


I 


i 

A 


* 

4 


f»-\ 


fotlowy  and  thus  each  belligerent  proceed  (o  re- 
peal their  respective  edietsy  pari  pa^tfUy  aooord- 
iog  to  their  respective  dates,  until  all  the  offen- 
sive deerees  shonld  be  annulled* 

WheUf  how<yver»  the  French  deerees  had  been 
aoBulledy  the  British,  under  the  most  equivocat- 
ing, flimsy,  and  false  pretexts,  continued  to  act 
OQ  their  Orders  in  Council,  until  after  the  decla- 
ration of  war  by  America.  It  is  true  that  the 
British  government  could  not  be  acquainted  with 
the  dcciaration  of  war  at  the  time  of  the  repeal 
of  the  Orders  in  Council^  it  must,  however^  bo 
eooeeded,  that  they  were  acquainted  with  tho 
American  embargo,  which  was  generally  under- 
stood to  be  preparatory  to  war  ;  nor  could  they 
^ubt  that  war  would  be  declared,  unless  they 
believed  that  America  hfid  lost  all  political  vlr-^ 
liie.  A  state  of  war  superseded  all  use  which 
the  British  could  make  of  the  Orders  in  Counoik 
Their  repeal  was  marked  by  the  greatest  eon*' 
pmai  finr,  and  insult  to  the  United  States. 

Ifr,  Calhoun,  from  the  committee  of  foreign 
l^atlons,  to  whom  the  President'^  message  was 
referred,  by  the  house  of  Representatives,  made 
a  long  and  luminous  report  of  the  sd  June,  1819,* 
which  concluded  by  recommending  as  appeal 

'XO  ASMS* 

The  report  was,  after  two  ineffectoil  motions 
to  have  the  doors  opened,  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
table. 

Mr.  Calhoun,  from  the  same  committee,  oa 
leme  given,  presented  a  Inll^  declaring  war  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  her  dependencies,  and 
the  United  States,  and  their  territories.  This 
1^  was  warmly  opposed  and' debated  far  two 
dtgrs ;  when  the  question  being  taken,  shall  the 

said  bill  pasiX  Jt  wns  rcf^te^  in  ^b^  afllnni* 
iive.  ^"'"^^ 


*■  *i 


tdti 


HlSTOBT  OV  TAB  WAB. 


'I'^r^:^.^ 


±7 


/Xlie  Yeas  and  Nays  were  as  follows  : 


J\rew'Jffamfiahire.  IMtismoor,  Hallf  and  HarpMr^S 
Ki'MatBachuseiU.  Seaver^  Carr,  Qreeiit  Rielnrd^iiy 
Turner,  and  Widgery.—6»u-tMi  ?mH  ?o 

^t^VtrmoHt,    FUk»  Shawt  %nd  Stroi>gr««-r-^»      >  y 

^^Connecticut,    None.        j^rsA  /4  n?i«f*   m  0<*;ir* 


^jAif w Jofit.  Pond,  Av^rjTr  and  Sago.-^S» 
7 ^jVeW' Jersey,  Condit^  and  Morgan.f-*3. 
'/^^enmylvania,  Seybert^  ^der9on^  Brown,  R07 
olrts,  Findl^y,  Smilie,  Lyle,  WhuehUlV  Bardr  Parist 
Ltsfevei^,  Hjrneman)  Piper,  LacoCk)  .Crawfordi  and 
SmitH;— 16.  ^  ;         .    ; 

V'Mirp^Hd.   Keht,  Little;  M^Kiif,  Ringgoid.  Browti 
aild^  Archor.w6.  s^^?^^ 

'i'  Virginia,  Nelson,  Gholsoif,  Goodwyn/  Newtov^ 
Taliaferro,  Dawson^  Basset,  Smithy  HaWes^  Roalie» 
M^Koy,  Pleasants,  Clopton*  and  Biirwell.-^14. 
'  JSTorth'CmrMMk  Alston,  Blacskledgey  Maooft,  Xlng| 
^^kim,  and'  Pickens. — t,  -  ->^.  \^'»mht  J  .--  -^  • ;.. 
"^^t^h-^^^^na.  WUUaifis,  Che^eii^Lowndei^  Bl# 

'  r|^lhQun».£!arle„W4iiai  and  l4oore-— f^. 
iB^^'*'*^'    Troup,  BiJi)b,apfi  HaU.r-3,     ,    , 
^  JCentuckjf,    Johnson,    peshat  N^j^^ ,  M*J^e j^  ^^ 
OtihsBy.— '$. 

Tenneaaee,    Rhea,  Grundy*  and  Scvier,--l5V 

Nays. 

'^  ,A>«{M^«i044tr^  .  BairUetttAnd  SfiUiv^ 
^a«0cAi^^f«.    Qnincy,    Reed,^   Taggavt,    £ly)» 
l^miA?Mtl5*;Ta|^ii>ap,^^d,Wlieaton.--8.        ..^ 
lbdfe*/«/ana.    pbU^i^and^|ack^  ^i^ 

ermQnt,    Chlttendem— -ll  *  ,  ^'  ^^J 

\^omecticut.  Sturgei,.  Davenport,  Mosely*  ChanS^^ 

'  ^Yor^    Bte&le*;  l&lldt,  Cookfe,1Fltdi^13ft^ 


% 


iA 


BISTORT  OV  THE  WAB. 


1^ 

I 


i 


( 


I 


I 

i 


SMttBorifl,  Stow»  TracjTi  Van  Cortkindti  }4itchell>  anA^ 
MetcaUU-n.  Tjs 

AeiKf'Jer^ty.    Boyd^  Hufty,  MMwell,  and  New- 
bold.— 4.  ^^ 

Pennsylvania,    Milnor  and  Rodman.— 2. 

Delaware,     Ridgely. — 1. 

Maryland.    Kav,  Goldiborough,  and  Stewait.*^^'*- 

Virginia*    Randolph,  Lewis,  Baker,  Breckenridgey 
and  Wilson.-*^. 

Mfrth'CaroUna,    Pearson,  M<Br3rdey    and    Stan^ 
Cord.r-«d.  -. 

SoutA'CaroUna.    None. 
Georgia,    None. 


Kentucky,  None. 
Tennessee,  None^ 
OMq,    None. 

Yew 

Na;i 


49 


!»«t 


■*-'0  "i«>  mob 
.    .  ** 


tojority  for  War  30' 

On  tUe  5th  of  Xw^e^^  a  ooDfidenUal  met 
i#is  reeeired  by  the  Senate^  fh>in  theliouBe, 
li^lireseiitatitesf  bj  Mr.  Macon,  and  Mr^^Ftli^-^ 
Vfyttwo  of  tbeir  m«oiber»-*Mn  M(icon»  eliaA^ 
Man: 


J: 


5(1 1 J 


^  Mr.  President— Tfie  House  of  Repipesenta^a^ 
haye  passed  a  bill,  enUtied,  <  An  act  declaiing  1M^ 
between  Great  Britain  and  ber  depandeacios  ani#lB 
United  Stataa)  and  their  ^mtovieaf  in  wihi^Hiiyr 
aak  the  concurrence  of  tbo  Senate;.'  and  request  t^ii^ 
the  bill  be  conudered  confidentblly."  Aad  %bJ|,. 
wiMidi^.Wf ,.,.  ^^  .,      ^   ^j^^^  ^-^  %^>^A..■,T|:•^,.,         K..  jSi^_  • , 

I' The  Ulb  f rem  the  HosMfe  of  RepemtathRMi 
wiB  before  tiie  Senate,  fton  day  to  di^yumtil^ 
ll»  174h  Jmie.  .  It  niid^^aiit  a  veiy  #iuaTn# 
ifeioiitsioay  mat  wkh  iMok  and  vtoleat  appa^ 
Mitti^  bttiiaaUjr  pusscid  tka$  bod^  aa  |faa  kHeif 


«:;''^*-: 


vY,*!" 


HlrrOBT  OV  YBE  WAB. 


» 


day;  there  appearing  for  its  passagei  19 ;  agaimi 
it,  IS. 

Tile  aet  was  passed  ioto  a  law  on  the  18thy  la^ 
the  followiog  words :  '""^ 

AN  ACT 

Dt€laring   War    between  the   United    Kingdom  ^f 
\tQreat  Britain  and  Ireland^  and  the  defiendeneiet 
thereof t  and  the  United  States   of  Ameriea^  and 
their  territories,  ii.n'»v^rt'.>-*\VK'- 

B£  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  Houee  qf'hifire' 
tentative*  q/*  the  United  States  ofjfneriea,  it{'  Cdit> 
greee  auembled^  That  WAR  be,  and  the  same^is 
hereby  declared  to  exist  between  the  United^  Kli|g- 
dom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland^  and  the  d^hdeti- 
cies  thereof,  and  tlie  United  States  of 'Antericaf'nt^d 
their  territories  ;  and  thaftthe  President  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  be,  and  he  is  hereby  aiuthorised  to  use  the 
whole  land  and  naval  force  of  the  United  States>(o 
carry  the  same  into  effect,  and  td  issue  to  prlftrt& 
a)Fm(^4  Y^ss^l^of  tt^  Ujiitcd  SjLales,  coiiiii4|sio|k9  or 
Ii^rs  of  Qiai^ue  and  gen<^ral  rc|>ti99l)  in  fiuic1|i,lo|r)ri|^ 
a»  h^^sbalimpk  ptopeif,  and.  andec  the\  jusat  of  ^Sk^ 
lAwtedSt^tes^^agaii^at  tfee  vessels,  gpodirjuid  cpcti; 
orale  ifOfemttient  of  the  isafn^  United  &ingdoni  oC 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  the  subjects  thcreoE 

hmfmwfWi  ,,^1^        JAMES  MADIWN-'  ft 

41*  the  Mlowhig  day  (iiHh  Jane)  wm^  wnif 
deeiared^  1^  proetomatloD,  the  iajuoetleft  ofae^^ 
ere<^^  hdag  preyieusty  r«itoyed  io  both  faoas^* 
ofGbBgr^Bs. 

A  peace  ofaearlj  SO  years»  duribg  whM  ilie 
A«eiicam  altendl^  bii  little  to  imprayegieiita 
in  the  iMis  %t  wav»  Foadered  them  a|»pn«i^lj  « 

arvin^uai  AyitefafDva^mtien  wjme  armiet 
aayias  weit^  more  immeeoas  than  thi^hdl 
IpaitAt  aaf  teviler  [^e4    Thebmlfriiii*!^ 


'■h 


«»- 


aiMxt  n  rxk  yrAMn 


•K* 


•     .*/; 


»/ 


America  fearM  mnqh  for  the  fate  of  the  Ht|14 
AmcHcan  navj.    It  was  also  supposed  that  our 
undisciplined  armies    miiat  oxpei'ience  several 
defeats  from  tlie  well  trained  regulars  ofJElni^ 
land;  but  those,  who  l^now  an^  thiug  of  the  re- 
vojutionary  war»  felt  no  doubt  as  to  what  would 
be  the  event  of  the  present.    The   wMiderfut 
•xploitSf  and  happy  issue^  that  remains  to  bo  re*'^ 
eordedy  will  show,  that  even  the  warmest  en^^ 
thusiasts  did  not  probably  aiitieipate  renown  wA 
^orjf  such  as  was  in  store  for  Americaps.        V! 
The  pu1>lio  prints  on  both  sides,  were  warifif' 
in  their  denunciations  of  their  respective  4Dppq« 
nents,  and  threats  of  what  would  and  eo|ildb$^ 
performed.    T^be  folloif  ing  are  giyi^n  fMs  spe^iri, 
ineiis*  ^.^ 

Prom  the  London  Caurigr,  !x 

^  ■>....-■  ■■  ^^ 

'^(  America  knows  not  that  the  vigour  of  the  British^ 
einpire  increases  with  the  necessity  of  exerting  M'lb. 
tnato'urelastfcity  rises  ^  with  the  pressure  upon  as<!-7y 
thilt  difftdultles  only  make  ns  more  firm  and  uiidaunk 
ed^tHiiit danglers  only^  give  us  the  additional  means  oj 
oiref cotn^  themr  It  is  in  such'  a  state  ofaiPftif^ViH 
sttcfaagreat  crisis,  that  k  nation  likid  Gredt  Brt^ii^ 
becomes  greater.  We  are  now  the  only  btilWai^x^ 
liberty  in  the  world—placed,  a  little  spot,  a  spetst  aP 
most' on  the  ocean,  between  the  old  and  the  ne# 
i«QrM,weare  contending  with  botl^  4  with  one  an# 
we  are  beating,  the  armiea  ^of  the  master  of  the  Q»mf 
tinent  of  Europe,  andtm^h  the  .Qthtv  we  9haH  ^mim 
hi»  Prefect  on  the  Continent  of  America"  .        \ 

I'rom  the  Mvf'Tork  Morning  Post, 

«<  With  a  stone  and  a  sfing  onlyi^AmerKca  cem.^ 
menccd  the  %ar  of  independence,  WithbWarmSt 
without  clbthing,  without  money,  andVifKoiit  cfeedit^ 
-^  took  the  field  ;  relying  upon  stout  fieai^^uid  the 
assistance  of  God  &r  the  iucccss  ot  a  r!|^eo«K 


m 


lUBTOHT  OF  TUB   WAS* 


U 


m 


cause.  The  event  has  proved,  that  with  luch  reli- 
ances, a  nation  has  nothing  to  fear.  Oi|r  country  has 
again  thrown  Hself  upon  the  protection  of  the  Lord 
of  Hosts  ;  we  need  but  prove  ftdthful  to  him  and  to 
ourselves.  Victory  will  again  crown  our  effortSf  and 
peace  and  plenty  reward  us  for  our  toils.  Who,  that 
IS  truly  an  American,  will  despair  of  the  success  of 
his  country ;  who  will  dare  to  believe  we  cart  be 
otherwise  than  CONQUERORS  ?  We  had  imagin- 
ed this  impossible,  except  with  the  agents  of  the  ene- 
my ;  yet  m  a  crisis  so  important,  not  only  to  us,  but 
to  posterity,  we  have  found  that  the  spirit  of  treason 
has  dared  to  stalk  abroad,  even  at  noon  day,  amongst 
us.  Is  the  enemy  so  strong  in  the  camp— so  confi- 
dent of  support,  as  to  hazard  a  fearless  defiance  ? 
We  are,  it  is  true,  proud  to  exist  in  a  land  of  frejft* 
dom*— but  when  men  threaten  us  with  giving  the  |ys« 
sistance  of  their  pens  to  the  cause  of  our  adversarietf 
who  will  hesitate  to  say  that  such  freedom  becomes 
traitorous  V* 

The  state  of  the  regular  army  was^  at  this 
timey  Bueh  as  scarcely  to .  deserve  the  iiaHie.^-^, 
The  mltitiaf  with  the  exoeption.  of  a  feWi  unl- 
fprm  companies  in  the  citiesy  eonsistfid  of  ajroo* 
manry  and  others  accustomed  to  parade  for  » 
fcw  hours  each  year,  some  with  bad  aniii»,oth*i 
ers  without  any.  The  preparations  for  war  oa 
the  land,  was  confined  t«  an  expedition  under 
the  command  of  General  Hall)  of  whieb  n^ie^ 
will  he  taken  in  the  proper  plaee.  The 
^oausted  of  the  following  vessels* 

JJat  qf  American  VeueU^  and  their  /orct* 


President,  44 

Constitlition,  44 

tJnited  States,  44 

Chesapeake  '36 

Ktw^YOrk  S$ 


Com.  Rodgers. 
Captain  Hull, 

Decatur* 
Ordinary, 


t$ 


II 


,fi.* 


m 


'*r  5 


nilTORT  01  THB  WAV. 

CcmslelfaOfm) 

'      SO 

Ordinary 

Congress, 

36 

Capt.  Smith. 

Boston^ 

39 

Ordinary. 

Esfcex. 

32 

Capt.  Portor. 

AdamS) 

3S 

Onhnary. 

eORTRTTB. 

John  AdamS} 

36 

Capt.  Ludlow. 

SHIPS  OF  WAR. 

Wasp, 

16 

Capt.  Jones. 

Hornet» 

16 

Lawrence. 

BRIGS 

t 

Onied^ 

16 

Com.  WooUey. 

Siren, 

16 

Lieut  Carroll. 

Argus, 

16 

Crane. 

SCHOOMKRS. 

Vixen, 

13 

Lieut.  Gasden. 

Nautilus, 

13 

Sinclahr. 

Enterprise, 

'       13 

Blakely. 

Viper 

w^ 

^           BainbHdge 

UOQiinBoaU 

9 

C*pt.  Shaw. 

B0XB9 

\, . 

Vengeance^ 
Bpitfirey 

( 

Ordinaiy 

VeMmuif 

) 

. 

CfommodorO  Itodgers»  belne  at  Xew-Tork»  mi 
rceeiving  the  President's  proclamation/annouQO^ 
in|;  war,  addressed  his  ineii  on  the  occasion^ 
oneHng  their  wages  and  a  discharge  to  such  as. 
were  unwilling  to  risk  their  lives  with  him.  X 
general  huzza  preceded  the  declaration  ef^verj 
individual  to  <«  stand  or  fall  with  the  Commo- 
dore." The  anchor  was  heaved,  and«  before 
ni^ht,  the  Commodore  parsed  the  Uglit-bouae  o 
Sandy- Hook,  and  proceeded  to  oea*  having  rni- 
d«rhit  eommiind^  the  frigates  Pre^^epl^  Ufiited 


BIlTOElr  Of  THS  WAB* 


M 


Stateif  and  Congrest*  i^nd  the  sloops  of  war 
Hornet  and  Argus.  The  Commodore  retarned 
to  Boston  aflei*  a  eruise  of  7^  daysy  during 
Vfhieh  he  passed  within  one  dajr'ssail  or  the  Brit- 
ish channel,  passed  near  ^he  island  of  Madeira^ 
and  the  Azores,  and  returned  b^  the  banks  of 
Nevrfoundlund  and  Cupe- Sable.  lie  made  seyen 
captures  and  one  re-capture ;  aud  chased  two  Brit- 
ish frigates^  one  of  them  tho  Belvidera.  This 
cruise  was  of  great  beneili*  as  it  compelled  the 
enemy  to  concentrate  hiM  force,  by  whicli  a  vast 
quantity  of  property  was  saved  from  falling  into 
the  enemy's  hands. 

The  President,  while  chasing  the  BelvideraV 
received  a  considerable  number  of  shot  in  her 
sails  and  rij^ging,  I^ut  was  not  materially  injur- 
ed. One  of  the  President's  guns  byrstedy  by 
which  three  men  were  killed,  and  19  wounded. 
By  this  accident,  the  Commodore's  leg  was  frac- 
tured. The  chase  lasted  from  0,  a.  m,  on  the  2dd 
June^  until  midnight. 

On  the  day  after  the  Commodore  sailed,  the 
following  appeared  in  the  New- York  Colunir 
bian,  and  accounts  for  the  escape  of  his  Britaur 
nio  Majesty's  vessels  of  war,  Belvider,a  and  Tar- 
tarus, which  had  been  for  some  days  olf  Sandy- 
Uook. 

«  It  is  undoubtedly  a.  fact)  that  dispatch-bcttits 
with  information  have  been  sentoif  to -the  British 
vessels  which  were  cruising  off  the  harbour,  since 
the  declaration  of  war.  JBi^w^om  they  were  sent 
off)  itis  not  necessary  fit  present  to  mention.  But 
this  ouQh  mayt  stud  ought  to  be  said—- thutif  it  was 
done  by  an  America^  citizen,  he  has  cc^nmitte^  trea*' 
9on  by  the  lawe  of  the  Umted  States,  and  de^erve^ 
•wd  kmiy  receive  a  hanging  for  it.  There  is  no>ii»« 
>i6i6ni  however^  en(ibrtaihed|  that*  such  an  iniGuiionii^ 


1 


,.iy  ¥ 


.J 


^ 


W?; 


S«( 


#      nifiTOST  01  THB  Will. 


■?  J 


'  act  has  been  done  by  any  American.  As  it  has  there- 
fore been  the  act  of  the  subjects  of  the  king  of  Eng- 
land) whether  they  are  in  or  out  of  office,  the  act  is  a 
violation  of  the  hospitality  which  tolerates  their  re- 

^  sidence  in  our  city)  and  calls  loudly  upon  the^  consti- 
tuted authorities  to  put  the  laws  immediately  in  force 
against  alien  enemies,  and  to  rid  the  citf  of  spies,  or 
at  least  of  such  as  disgrace  their  character  by  actin^^ 
in  so  infamous  a  capacity."  "'*^^* 

.t    It  is  however  a  lamentable  faet,  that  the  ene- 
my had  his  adherents  within  the  United  States^ 
oonsistiDg  of  native  citizensy  as  well  as  of  for- 
eigners.   The  public  were  apprised  of  the  infa- 
inous  and  cowardly  means  used  by  the  British 
,io  corrupt  the  citizens^  by  the  agency  of  faired 
incendiaries  among  whom  the  notorious  John 
.Hemii  was  conspieuous.    The  first  effusions  of 
•  the  press  were  watched  with  care ;  and  the  citi- 
|sens  indignant  at  the  conduct  of  the  British  gOT- 
ernmenty  whieh  rendered  war  not  only  neoes- 
sary,  but  unavoidable,  were  ready  to  eonstrue 
every  opposition  to  government,  into  an  act  of 
adhesion  to    the  enemy.    The    spirit  of  1776 
seemed  to  revive,  and  the  terms  «  Whig''  and 
J^  Tory**  were  again   comings  into   use.     The 
^partyy  which  designated  itself  as  <<  Federal,"  was 
.long  opposed  to  the  officers  of  the  general  gov- 
aeniioent :  and  were  in  the  practice  of  condemn- 
iing,  opposing,  and  thwarting  all  its  measurers. 
This  party  to  be  consistent,  also  opposed  tlie  war, 
merely  because  it  must  prove  injurious  to  Eng- 
land $  this  was  properly  a  British  tory  party, 
and  should  be  distinguished  from  those  federal - 
i^s,  who,  notwithstaiidtng  their  opposition  to 
mtitf  were  yet  Americans.    The  tory  endevour- 
iHl  to  screen  himself  beaeath  the  semblance  of 


HiSToaY  OF  THE  WAB. 


.,t. 


«5 

I^dendtsfn  ;  and  thefederalist^  vfho  ooiild  weak- 
Jjr  lend  the  mask,  should  not  coniplaio^  if  both 
riiouid  be  taken  for  tories. 
;"""  There  were  several  editors  of  federal  polities 
Hrho  deserved  and  reeeived  the  applause  of  their 
political  opponents^  for  conduct  pursued  imme- 
diately subsequent  to  the  declaration  of  war. 
The  following  extract  from  a  federal  paper^  de- 
serves particular  notice  : 

From  the  United  S$mte9'  Gazette^  firinted  at  I%Ua* 

delfihia, 

«  The  people  of  this  country,  whatever  may  be 
their  opinions  of  this  incomprehensible  war,  demand, 
itnd  will  insist  that  it  now  be  carried  on  with  the  vi- 
-gour  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object  of  all  war, 
JiodDur  while  it  lasts,  and  real  peace  and  security 
when  it  ends." 


■n. 


A  paragraph  of  a  seemingly  different  oom- 
plexion^  appeared  immediately  after  the  deela- 
ration  of  war,  in  the  «  Federal  Republican,^' 
piinted  at  Baltimore,  and  edited  by  Mr.  Wag- 
lier.    It  was  in  the  following  words : 

f  ^'•*  We  mean  to  represent  in  as  strong  colours ^s  wte 
are  capable,  that  the  war  is  unnecessary,  inexpedientt 
and  entered  into  from  partial,  personal,  and  as  we  be- 
lieve, motives  bearing  upon  their  front,  marks  of  un- 
disguised foreign  influence,  which  cannot  bo  mistalc- 
en.  We  mean  to  use  eveiy  means  of  constitutional 
argument,  and  every  legal  means,  to  render  as  odious 
and  suspicious  to  the  American  people,  as  they  de- 
serve to  be,  the  patrons  and  contrivers  of  this  highly 
Impolitic  and  destructive  war,  in  the  fullest  persua- 
ston,  that  we  shaU  be  suppoited,  and  ultimately  ap- 
plauded by  nine-tenths  of  our  countrymen,  an4that 
our  silence  would  be  treason  to  them." 

\  The  citizens,  in  a  stsUe  of  high  Irritation,  pfo- 
ceetfed  in  the  evening  of  the  22d  June>  to  Mr. 


^ 


BISTORT  09  THE  WAB. 


m 


ft 
4 


I  ■.■*. 


Wagner's  printing-ofllcey  which  was  destroyed. 
This  procedure  was  followed  by  some  rioting ; 
and  the  paper  was  remoTcd  to  C^orgetowoy 
(Col.)  where  it  continued  to  be  printed. 

On  the  7th  July,  an  -order  was  issued  from 
the  department  of  state  of  the  United  States,  re- 
quiring all  British  subjects  to  register  their 
namesi  ages,  places  of  residence,  persons  com- 
posing their  families,  &c.  at  the  office  of  the 
marshal  of  the  United  States,  for  the  district  in 
which  such  subjects  resided.  This  order  was 
followed  by  others  directing  alien  enemies,  who 
were  engaged  in  foreign  commerce,  to  remove 
from  the  vicinity  of  the  sea  or  tide  water.  The 
information  constantly  conveyed  to  the  enemy, 
from  the  ports  and  harbours  of  the  United 
States,  was  supposed  to  render  such  a  measure 
necessary.  It  would  be  much  to  the  honour  of 
the  citizens,  if  this  treasonable  intercourse  with 
the  enemy  were  confined  to  aliens ;  subsequent 
information,  obtained  at  the  navy  department 
of  the  United  States,  has  sutHciently  proved  that 
several  profligate  citizens  have  also  held  com - 
'inunications  with,  and  supplied  the  wants  of  the 
enemy. 

A  cartel  ship  arrived  in  July,  at  Boston,  from 
IBalifax,  and  delivered  on  board  the  U.  States' 
frigate  Chesapeake,  three  seamen,  formerly  ta- 
ken out  of  that  frigate,  by  the  Britif  ^.  frigate 
Leopard. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  the  I^eopard  attack- 
ed the  Chesapeake  in  time  of  peace,  while  the 
latter  was  unsuspicious  of  an  attack,  and  unpre- 
pared for  defence.  The  Chesapeake  was  nred 
into,  boarded,  and  these  men  taken  by  force  from 
her.  * 

Remonstrance  on    the  part  of   the   United 


*r 


m 


HISTO&T  OF  TUB   WAR. 


27 


>|N 


Stately  was  made  to  the  Bpitish  gof  ernmenty  and 
redress  demanded  for  tbra  wanton  breach  of  the 
laws  of  nations.  The  British  government  dis- 
avowed any  ageney  in  the  aet ;  but  yet  promo- 
ted the  commander  of  the  Leofmvd,  not  to  the 
yard  arm  of  a  ship,  but  to  the  command  of  a  74. 
The  restoration  of  these  men  had  been,  for  some 
time,  promised  by  the  British  govermnent ;  it 
was  pleasi;ig  to  see  it  eflfected  so^  soon  after  the 
declaration  of  war.  Whether  the  war  had  any 
influence  on  this  transaction,  must  be  matter  of 
conjecture,  in  which  the  reader  will  exercise 
bis  own  opinion. 

This  is  not  the  only  instantse  in  which  war 
produced  a  change  to  those  x\merieans  who  were 
impressed  and  confined  on  board  British  men  of 
war.  Several  of  them^  havipg  declined  serving 
against  their  country,  were  sent  to  prison  aa 
prisoners  of  war,  and  became  entitled  to  be  lib- 
erated by  exchange.  This  mode  of  treating 
them,  after  their  character  as  American  citi- 
zens was  acknowledged,  was  eertainly  uf^just  f 
they  should  have  been  ^ily  released,  not  hay- 
ing been  taken  in  time  of  war,  or  in  armsi  they 
were  entitled  to  rank  as  non-combatants. 

On  the  12th  July,  Mr.  Foster,  the  late  British 
minister,  and  Mr.  Barclay  late  censal,  departed, 
from  the  Uniteu  States,  at  New- York,  on  boiird 
the  B  Irtish  flag  of  truce  Colibri.  These  gen- 
tlcm^n  were  much  esteemed  for  their  private 
amiable  qualities. 

The  first  British  victory  over  the  American 
fleet,  happened  on  the  20th  of  July.  On  this  day 
the  United  States*  schooner  Nautilns,  Lieutenant 
Crane,  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  was 
captured,  after  a  chase  of  eight  hours.  J^ 
honour  was  lost  by  the  Americans  on  this^- 


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n 


f.*"-^ 


#i! 


•I'. 


.^  BISTOBT  OV  THE  WAR.  ^ 

oasioB  ;  the  vast  disparity  of  forccy  reiulercd  re^ 
sistBnee  as  imprudenty  as  it  would  be  unavailing^ 
The  brave  commander's  sword  was  retoraedy 
hy  the  British  officer^  Com.  Brooke»  as  an  ae* 
Knowled(i;ment  of  the  skill  and  bravery  with 
whieh  he  endeavoured  to  save  his  ship.  Lieut. 
Cranoy  and  his  erew,  were  afterwards  honourably 
;aequitted»  by  a  eourt  of  enquiry,  of  all  censure 
In  the  loss  of  the  Nautilus* 

On  the  17th  of  the  same  month,  the  frigate 
Constitution,  Captain  Hull,  ohased  a  British  fri* 
gate  into  a  British  fleet,  and  was  ohased  in  turn» 
•n  the  following  morning,  by  the  enemy,  consist* 
ing  of  a  ship  of  the  line,  four  frigates,  a  brigf  1 
and  a  schooner.    The  chaoe  continued  60  hburK 
The  Constitution  arrived  safe  in  Boston.    TbCi^ 
great  address*  by  which  Captain  Hull  saved  hia^ 
ship,  drew  forth  the  admiration  of  the  enemys^ 
and  the  applause  of  his  countrymen.  \  ^ 

It  was  the  wish  of  the  Americans,  as  ih»f:^ 
also  endeavoured  in  a  former  war  to  induce  tho^ 
Indians  to  be  neutral.    Humanity  and  civili8a«| 
Hon  plead  in  favour  of  a  principle  which  would'^ 
not  add  savage  barbarity  to  the  other  evils  off 
war  ;  but  unfortunately,  the  policy  of  a  <<  mag^  ■* 
nanimous*'  enemy  was  diflferent.    The  Ameri-^ 
cans  soon  learned  that  the  enemy  had  leagued^ 
^ifllKelf  with  the  ruthless  savage  of  the  wilder*  ' 
ness ;  the  known  warfare  of  the  tomahawk  and 
scalping  knife  was  to  act  in  concert  with  thef 
modern  invention  of  rockets  ;  in  short,  all  means 
within  the  power  of  the  enemy  were  to  be  com- 
bined against  tfce  people  of  the  United  States. 

The  first  act  in  which  the  allied  Indians  and 
British  signalkied  themselves,  was  in  the  taking 
of  the  fort  of  Michilimackinac,  on  the  17th  of 
July,  181^    The  garrison  consisting  of  57  ef« 


w 

'It 

I  if. 


¥  'r- 


UIITORT  OF  THE  WAR. 


29" 


feetive  men^  ineluding  offieersy  was  commanded 
by  Lieutenant  Hanksy  of  the  artillery  The 
first  notice  he  received  of  the  deeiaration  of  war^ 
was  in  the  form  of  a  summons,  ta  surrender  the 
fort  and  island  to  his  Britannic  Majesty's  forces. 
The  enem^  contemplating  a  state  of  war,  had 
been  for  some  time  preparing  an  expedition  for 
the  attack  of  Michiliniackinao.  The  place  of 
rendezvous  was  St.  Joseph's^  a  British  garrison^ 
distant  from  Miohilimackinac,  about  45  miles. 
So  prepared  were  the  British^  that  they  were* 
enabled  to  embark  the  next  day^  after  being  ap- 
prised of  the  declaration  of  war.  Lieutenant 
Hanks  having  peceived.  information  on  the  idih, 
of  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians^  sent  Cap- 
tain Daurman^of  the  miiitia^  to  wateh  the  mo- 
tion of  the  Indians  f  he  embarked  about  sun^set^ 
and  met  the  British  forces  within  ten  or  fifteen 
miles  of  the  islands  by  whom  he  was  made  pri- 
soner. Every  possible  preparatioi^  was  made  by 
the  garrison  to- resist  an  attaeky  if  Mich  should 
be  attempted  ;  but  the  appeai'anee  c^  »  powerful 
enemy,  with  artillery,  scaling  ladders,  &c.  indue 
ed  Lieutenaat  Hanka  to  submit  to  terms  of  capi^ 
tulation,  by  which  the  fort  was  surrendered  to 
the  British  forces,  oommanded  by  Captain  Rob-^ 
ert^.  The  American  garrison  was  made  prisi^- 
ers,  and  sent  to  the  United  State8>  not  to  servo 
until  regularly  exchanged. 

The  British  force  consisted  of  regnlar  troops^ 
46 ;  Canadian  militia,.  260;  Indians,  715. — ^To-^ 
tal,  1021.  ^ 

The  probability  of  an  approaching  war  had 
determined  the  United  States'  government  to  a*i 
dopt  some  measures  necessarily  preparatory  to* 
that  event. 

On  the  l^th  March,  1812,  Major  James  R.  Mul- 

c  %. 


^"-i 


i^r* 


^ 


mSTOBT  09  THB  WAR* 


ir 


s 


lanji  of  the  infantry,  was  directed  by  the  secre^ 
tary  of  war.  Dr.  £u8ti»9  to  proeeed  to  Philadel- 
phia,  and  asoertain  the  state  of  forwardness  in 
which  the  clothing  for  the  new  troops  was.  This 
was  esceeuted,  and  report  made  accordingly.-— 
On  or  about  the  12(h  April,  orders  were  received 
at  New- York,  to  commence  the  recruiting  scr- 
t  viee.  By  this  time  the  U.  S.  was  divided  into 
inilitary  districts,  and  Major  M iillany  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  western  district^  (NeW' 
York.)  With  his  noted  zeal  and  activity,  h» 
arrived  at  Geneva,  on  the  20th  April,  1812,  and 
located  there,  witJi  neeessary  instructions,  a  val" 
liable  ofllcer,  (Captain  Mydert  M.  Dox^^  In  a 
few  days,  the  officers  assigned  to  this  district^ 
were  supplied  with  funds  and  instructions,  and 
■lartial  music  gave  awful  warning  of  what  wa» 
Mkely  to  follow.  The  difficulties  that  ignorance 
and  treacherous  opposition  excited,  is  no  way  in-^ 
teresting  at  present.  Manly  exertion,  good  judg- 
ment, and  a  righteous  cause,  surmounted  CTcry 
scheme  of  faction,  and  soared  suceessfblly  over 
every  species  of  prejudice.  Citizens  most  noted 
for  acrimonious  sarcasms  towards  the  measures 
necessarily  adopted  at  that  period,  soon  buried 
their  mistaken  apprehensions  in  die  national 
good,  and  were  amongst  the  most  active  in  aiding 
die  effiirts  of  the  officers  of  the  hrmy. 

On  the  26th  of  May,  a  circular  order  wtfl 
transmitted  to  the  following  cfficers,  having  for 
lis  object  the  concentration  of  the  recruits  of  th;3 
western  district,  at  Canandaigua,  to  organize 
ihem  for  the  field,  viz. 

Captain  Dox,  In&ntry,  Gene va»  f 

Captain  M«Keon,  Sd  Regt.  Artillery,  Canandaigua. 
.   Captain  David  Scott,  Infantry,  Batavia. 
Captain  R.  H.  Morris,  In&ntry,  Cayuga.^ 


.}A&-, 


0 


HIITOAT  OF  TBS  VfAM. 


Si 


1ft  Lieutenant,  Wm.  Clarke,  Infantry^  Auburn,    ' 
Iftt  Lieutenant,  John  M.  O'Connor)  3d  Regt.  Ar- 
tiUery,  Buffalo.  ' 

1st  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Chipinan»  IniantrjT)  Bath» 
3d  Lieutenant,  W.  Martin,  Infantry,  Lima.  ' 

2d  Lieutenant  Henir  Whiting,  Infantry,  Buffalo*  ^ 
By  Oi-dcr, — J.  R.  Mullany,  Maj.  Comdg.  I 

Signed,—-!.  H.  Rces,  Lt.  3d.  Artillery,  Adjt. 

The  official  news  of  the  declaration  of  war^ 
reached  Major  Mullany  on  the  27th  June^  ±Si2, 
one  day  later  than  the  express  with  it  to  the 
British,  passed  Canandaigua,  (the  head-quartern 
of  the  distriet.)  The  man  employed  on  this  oc^v 
easion,  by  the  friends  of  England,  was  a  citizen 
of  Albany,  well  known  by  several  real  patriotio 
men»  residing  in  the  western  country,  on  whom 
he  imposed.  He  stated  that  he  was  eonveyingr 
express,  the  news  of  the  declaration  of  war,  t» 
Fort  Niagaras  in  consequence  of  which  strata- 
gem, he  succeeded  in  obtaining  every  facility^ 
that  money  and  horses  could  give  him  ;  and  thus 
did  the  British  receive  the  news  one  da^  before 
it  WM  known  at  Canandaigua^  from  whence  may 
tie  dated  the  fall  of  Miehilim&ckinacy  and  a 
irain  of  other  disosters^  on  the  fron tiers*  Having 
delivered  the  dcbpatchen  at  QueenstowD,  he  re» 
turned  immediately.  He  met  General  Peter  Bw^ 
Porter  at  Batavia,  who  questioned  him  oatfae  re^ 
port  then  general,  of  such  an  express  having' 
passed,  but  he  very  adroitly  escape^  and  wns  a* 
gain  interrogated  on  his  arrival  at  Canandaigita; 
by  Major  Mullany,  who  was  eldsely  watehing^hlir 
return.  He  soon  discovered  him,,  and  placed  hhii 
under  guard,  after  reading  to  him  the  57th  l^t^» 
tide  of  the  articles  of  wfo*.  Hk  deposiUon  Walk 
taken  before  a  master  in  ohancery,  and  forward- 
ed to  Governor  Tompkins,  the  samo  nighty  whem. 


■'#.* 


•V* 


32 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAB« 


»^ 


'M 

■'^i 


P 


it  reached  in  thirty  hours^  distance  208  miles. 
The  gentlemen  iivho  employed  the  despatch  yiwe 
taken  prisoners,  and  held  to  bail,  and  evidence 

§i\en  the  governor,  that,  although  the  despatches 
id  communicate  the  vote  of  Congress,  declaring 
war,  still  the  communication  was  sim'ply  mer- 
cantile. 

At  this  time  the  settlers  on  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier became  much  alarmed ;  they  were  daily 
threatened  with  a  visit  from  the  Indians,  and 
their  houses  no  longer  oii^red  them  safety  or 
protection.  Several  settlements  had  been  aban- 
doned, and  nothing  was  heard  along  the  frontier^ 
in  imagination  at  leasts  but  the  hostile  yell  of  the 
relentless  savage. 

The  following  letter  (not  hitherto  puhlishedy)^ 
was>  on  this  occasion,  directed  to  lifajor  Mullany  r 

Black  Rockf  June  38,  181^. 
Sir, 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  British 
meditate  an  attack  on  Fort  Niagara,^  and  that  it  may 
be  attempted  within  twenty-four  hours  from  this 
time.  If  they  once  pass  the  river,  it  is  impossible  to 
say  how  far  they  may  proceed.  Under  these  very 
urgent  circumstances  I  despatch  an  express,  to  re- 
quest that  you  will  immediately  march  the  men  un» 
der  your  command  to  our  assistance.  Although  you 
may  not  have  received  orders  authorising  you  to 
comply  with  this  request,  I  am  persuaded  the  occa- 
sion will  justify  you,  as  your  men  can  be  of  no  possi- 
ble use  at.  Canandaigua,  or  any  other  place  along  the 
south  shore  of  the  Lake,  and  are  undoubtedly  intend- 
ed, ultimately,  for  this  place.  Bring  with  you  all  the 
arms  and  ammunition  in  the.  Canandaigua  arsenal. 
In  great  haste,  yours  respectfully, 

PETER  B.  POKTER,  Q.  M.  G. 
0/the  State  o/JVewYerk^ 

Majou  Mullant,  > 

G^m*s  Q(  Canandaigua*  \ 


miTORT  OV  THB  1VAB*  ^ 


ss 


Major  MuUanyy  in  consequence  of  the  receipt 
of  this  letter,  marched  with  his  command  for  the 
protection  of  the  Niagara  frontier. 

Another  evidentljr  material  precaution,  was  tlio 
stationine  a  competent  force  in  the  Michigan  ter« 
ritor^y  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants^ 
against  the  incursion  of  the  enemy,  as  well  as 
for  the  purpose  of  acting  offensively,  if  sueh 
should  be  deemed  prudent.  General  Hull  had 
been  at  the  seat  of  Government  in  the  spring 
previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  where  ho 
made  arrangements  for  conducting  a  force  to 
Detroit.  He  accordingly  proeoeded  to  Dayt0B» 
on  the  Mad  rivor,  one  of  the  waters  of  the  great 
Miami,  60  miles  by  land,  and  about  7B  miles  hj 
water»  from  its  mouth.  Here  Governor  Meig^ 
of  the  state  of  Ohio,  surrendered  to  the  general 
the  command  of  1500  volunteers;  who  had  been 
raised  for  this  purpose,  and  i^ere  commanded  by 
Colonels  M'Arthur,  Cass*  ar.i  Findlay,  by  tho 
eleetion  of  the  volunteers. 

On  the  27th  May,  General  Hull  pitched  his 
tent  in  camp  Meigs,  when,  the  troops  being  form** 
ed  in  a  hollow  square^  the  flpg  of  the  fTnited 
States  Was  unfurled,  on  which  oceasion,  a  shorty 
but  animated  and  impressive  addressj  was  do* 
livered  by  Colonel  Cassir 

On  the  1st  June,  the  4th  United  Sfotes'  regi- 
ment, oommanded  by  Colonel  Miller^  joined 
General  Hull,  when  he  resumed  his  marafa,  and 
reaehed  the  rapids  of  the  Miami  about  the  last 
of  June,  having  then  under  his  command  about 
2500  men. 

From  Dayton  to  Detroit,  a  distance  of  moro 
than  150  miles,  the  army  had  to  cut  a  road  thro^ 
the  wilderness ;  the  land  was  soft  or  swampy* 
and  the  labour  of  bringing  on  oarriagea  and  H^* 


m 


iM 


«'1 


di* 


UlfeTOBT  07  THE   VfAH, 


.i^fi 


H^' 


tiHery,  exoessir?.  Tlie  Indians  showed  liiUe  dis- 
position to  obstruct  the  passage  of  the  troops. 
Governor  Meigs  proceeded  with  the  army  as  far 
as  the  Urbannuy  where  he  held  a  couneil  with 
some  Indian  chiefs^  when  it  was  agreed^  that 
peace  should  be  maintained  between  them  and  the 
United  States.  The  genera]  put  on  board  a  ves- 
sel^ the  baggage  and  hospital  stores  of  the  arm^i 
with  an  officer  and  30  men,  with  directions  to 
sail  for  Detroit,  The  British  having  been  ap- 
prized of  the  dcdaration  of  war,  captured  thi» 
vessel  at  Fort  Maiden,  mouth  of  Detroit  river  ; 
and  thus  the  army  suffered  a  serious  loss. 

On  the  evening  of  the  12th  July,  General  Hull 
«ros8ed  the  river  Detroit,  which  divides  the 
United  States'  territory  of  Michigan  from  the 
British  province  of  Upper  Canada,  and  nxed  his 
head  quarters  at  the  town  of  Sandwich^  about 
two  miles  within  the  British  province.  From 
this  place  he  published  a  proclamationy  of  >%hich 
the  following  is  a  eopy  : 

BY  WILLIAM  HULL, 

Brigadier  General  and    Ctmmander  of  the  ^ortfi 
Western  army  of  the  United  States  : 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Inhabitants  of  Canada^ 

After  thirty  years  of  peace  and  prosperity,  the 
United  States  have  been  driven  to  arms.  The  inju- 
ries and  aggressions,  the  insults  and  indignities  of 
Great  Britain,  have  once  more  kft  them  no  alterna- 
tive but  manly  resistance,  or  unconditional  Bubmis- 
«ion.  The  army  under  my  command  has  invaded  your 
country  ;  the  standard  of  the  union  now  waves  over 
the  territory  of  Canada.  To  the  peaceable  unoffend- 
ing Inhabitants^  it  brings  neither  danger  nor  difficulty. 
I  come  to  find  enemies,  not  to  make  them.  I  come 
to  protect)  not  to  injure  you. 


migl 

prepi 

will 

the 

youi 

coui 

test,| 

and 

forel 


•'a* 


HIBTORT  OV  TUB  WAB. 


35 


Separated  by  an  immense  ocean,  and  an  extentive 
wilderness,  from  Great  Britain,  you  have  no  partici- 
pation in   her  councils,  no  interest  in  her  conduct. 
You  have  felt  her  tyranny ;  you  have  seen  her  in- 
justice y  but  I  do  not  ask  you  to  avenge  the  one,  or 
to  redress  the  other.     The  United  States  are  suffici- 
ently powerful  to  afford  every  security,  consistent 
with  their  rights  and  your  expectations*    I  tender 
you  the  invaluable  blessing  of  civil,  political,  and  re- 
ligious liberty,  and  their  necessary  result,  individual 
and  general  prosperity ;  that  liberty  which  gave  de* 
cision  to  our  councils,  and  energy  to  our  conduct,  in  ^ 
a  struggle  for  independence,  which   conducted  us 
safely  and  triumphantly  through  the  stormy  period  of 
the  revolution— the   liberty  which  has  raised  us  to 
an  elevated  rank  among  the  nations  of  the  world ; 
and  which  afforded  us  a  greater  measure  of  peace 
and  security,  of  wealth  and  improvement  than  eyer 
fell  to  the  lot  of  any  people.     In  the  name  of  my 
country,  and  the  authority  of  Government,  I  promise 
you  protection  to  ycur  persons,  property,  and  rights ; 
remaiii  at  your  homes  ;  pursue  your   peaceful  and 
customary  avocations  ;  raise  not  your  hands  against 
your  brethren.     Many  of  your  fathers  fought  for 
the  freedom  and  independence  we  now  enjoy.     Be- 
ing children,  therefore,  of  the  same  family  with  uSy 
and  heirs  of  the  same  heritage,  the  arrival  of  an  army 
of  friends  must  be  hailed  by  you  with  a  cordial  weN 
come,    You  will  be  emancipated  from  tyranny  and 
oppression,  and  restored  to  the  digniiied  station  of 
freedom.     Had  I  any  doubt  of  eventual  success,  I 
might  ask  your  assistance  ;  but  I  do  not.     1  come 
prepared  for  every  contingency — I  have  u  force  which 
will  break  down  all  opposition,  and  that  force  is  but 
the  van-guard  of  a  much  greater.     If,  contrary  to 
your  own  interests,  and  the  just  expectdtion  of  my 
country,  you  should  take  part  in  the  approaching  con* 
test,  you  will  be  considered  and  treated  as  enemies ; 
and  the  horrors  and  calamities  of  war  will  stalk  be- 
fore you.    If  the  barbarous  and  savage  policj  of 


1 


^^'H 


$s 


■ItTMY  OY  TAB  itAB. 


Si 


Great  Britain  be  pursiiedy  and  the  savaffes  are  let 
looae  to  murder  our  cttisen«9  and  butcher  our  women 
and  children,  thia  war  will  be  a  war  of  extermination. 
The  first  atroke  of  the  tomahawk— the  first  attempt 
with  the  scalping-knife,  will  be  the  signal  of  one  in- 
discriminate scene  of  desolation.  No  white  man» 
found  fighting  by  the  side  of  an  Indiani  will  be  taken 
prisoner — instant  death  will  be  his  lot.  If  the  dic- 
tates of  reason,  duty,  justice,  and  humanity,  cannot 
prevent  the  employmeot  of  a  force  which  respects 
no  rights,  and  knows  no  wroug,  it  Will  be  prevented 
by,  a  severe  and  relentless  system  of  retaliation*'  I 
doubt  not  your  courage  and  firmness— I  will  not 
doubt  your  attachment  to  liberty.  If  you  tender 
your  services  voluntarily,  they  will  be  accepted  rea- 
dily.  The  United  States  offer  you  peace,  liberty, 
and  aecurity.— -Your  choice  lies  between  these  and 
war,  slavery  aod  destruction.  Choose  then  $  but 
choose  wisely  ;  and  may  he  who  knows  the  justice 
of  our  cause,  and  who  holds  in  his  hand  the  fate  of 
nations,  guide  you  to  a  result  the  most  compatible 
with  your  rights  ard  interests,  your  peace  and  hap* 
piness. 

By  the  General, 

A.  P.  HULL. 

t^fitcin  qftheXSth  United  States*  regiment  qf  Ir^/aH" 
tryf  and  Md'de'Catnfi,  Head-quarters^  Sandwich^ 
July  J2,  1813. 

WILLLAI*  HULL. 


.^  Thb  proclamation  was  well  oaleulated  to 

Sire  eoofideaee,  and  secure  the  friendship  of  tlie 
madiaaaw  The  AmerioAB  troops  were  in  higli 
•pirits,  anxious  to  be  led  against  the  enemy's 
postal  FortMaklen^  The  British  foree,  eon« 
nsting  of  regolarsy  militia,  and  Indiansy  was  in** 
lerior  to  tbie  Am^jrieans,  as^  appeared  biy  the  offi- 
j^l  eommunieatlon  of  the  British  general  Broeky 
to  hJb,  |[9¥4BC»iiieiit   The  moment  neemed  fii- 


arm: 

Foi 

Mali 

officj 

the 

plat 

cuai 

thed 

Ami 


■  S", 


41^ 


aiBTORT  OV  THE  WAR. 


'^^m 


yoarable  to  strike  an  important,  perhaps  a  deel* 
sive  blow.  Tiie  Indians,  except  a  few  of  whom 
had  joined  the  British,  remained  neutral,  watch- 
ing with  their  usuhI  sagacity,  until  thej  could 
discover  on  ivhat  side  victory  was  likely  to  perch ; 
nearly  all  the  Canadian  militia  had  deserted* 
Colonel  M* Arthur  was  detached  with  150  meny 
to  the  river  Thames,  where  he  capturt;d  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  ammunition,  arms,  and 
blankets.  Some  hundreds  of  Merino  sheep  were 
captured  by  another  detachment. 

On  the  15th  July,  Colonel  Cass,  with  about 
300  men,  reconnoitered  the  enemy's  posts.  The 
Colonel  aseended  the  river  Aux  Canards,  to  a 
ford,  where  he  crossed,  and  descending  on  the 
south  side,  attacked  and  repeatedly  drove  a  par- 
ty of  the  enemy's  regulars,  which  was  stationed 
at  a  bridge,  five  miles  above  Amherstburg,  the 
enemy  havmg  formed  and  returned  three  times  ; 
night  put  an  end  to  the  pursuit.  The  Americans 
returned  the  following  day  to  camp  without  in- 
terruption. Frequent  skirmishing  was  kept  up 
between  other  detatchments  of  the  Amerioatt 
army,  and  the  enemy,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Fort  Maiden.  The  time  of  attacking  Fort 
Maiden  was  determined  on  at  a  council  of  field 
officers,  and  preparations  made  for  advancing  tor 
the  attack,  when,  by  an  unexpected  order,  the 
plan  of  attack  was  abandoned,  and  Canada  eva- 
cuated on  the  Stb  August,  shamefully  leaving  to 
their  fate,  the  Canadians  who  had  joined  the 
American  standard. 

This  gave  time  to  the  enemy  to  be  reinfore- 
ed,  and  it  soon  was  rumoured  m  the  Americap 
eamp,  that  the  commanding  officer  intended  to 
surrender  his  army,  in  the  event  of  an  attack  by 
fk^  enemjF.     This   seemetl    so    naaet^optaU^ 

n 


L 


,^ 


ti. 

if!  '• 


rfl. 


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sa 


t 


HISTOBT  OF  THS  1¥JIK« 


,    V 


at  a  time  Dirlien  superiority  of  foree  was  mi  ihf^ 
American  side,  tliat  the  officers  had  resolved,  in 
the  event  of  the  rumour  being  well  founded,  ta 
divest  the  general  of  his  command.  The  exe* 
<»ution  of  this  plan  was  prevented  by  the  ab^' 
senee  of  two  commanding  officers  of  regiments^ 
"who  were  ordered  on  detachments.  The  Brit- 
ish being  reinforced  by  about  400  men,  and  the 
Indians  liecoming  more  decided,  General  Brock 
ad^^anced,  and  took  a  position  opposite  to  Detroity 
'where,  without  interruption,  he  established  a 
small  battery. 

On  the  15th  August,  the  town  of  Detroit  was 
summoned  to  surrender,  which  being  refused,  a 
firing  began  from  the  British  batteries,  which 
vas  returned  by  the  Americans,  and  continued, 
ivitli  little  effect,  until  night.  At  day-light,  on 
the  16th,  the  firing  recommenced  on  both  sides^ 
the  enemy  commenced  the  landing  of  troops  be- 
low Detroit,  which  being  soon  effected,  they 
marched  in  close  column  of  platoons^  twelve  in 
front,  toward  the  fort  of  Detroit. 

Against  this  body  of  troops  not  a  shot  was  fir*^ 
ied,  although  it  advanced  in  a  situation  within 
the  range  of  the  American  cannon.  When  the 
British  reached  within  100  yards  of  the  Ameri- 
•an  line^  orders  were  given  by  Gen.  Hull  for  the 
troops  to  retreat  to  the  fort ;  and  soon  after,  the 
fort  was  surrendered,  and  the  Ameriean  army 
liecame  prisoners  of  ^war. 

By  a  proclamation  immediately  issued  by  the 
British  commancicr,  (Gen.  Brock,)  it  appeara 
that  General  Hull  had  also  surrendered  the  te  r- 
Tltory  of  Michigan.  '^ 

r  This  was  a  severe  and  unexpected  blow  against 
the  Aroerioans.  It  gave  rise  to  a  oourt.mai*tial 
Qfk  the  eonduet  of  Genend  Ball^  which  willl^ 


% 


H 


HISTORY  OF  TdE  WIB. 


m 


noticed  in  its  proper  place  fit,  in  a  great  degree, 
destroyed  the  conftdence  the  Canadians  had  in 
the  government  and  arms  of  the  United  States  ; 
it  determined  the  Indians  to  take  part  with  the 
enemy ;  and  led  not  only  to  a  prolongation  of  the 
V/W9  but  to  many 9  or  perhaps  all  of  those  savage 
aets  of  murder,  in  which  the  Indians  were  sub- 
sequently engaged,  against  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States. 

General  Hull,  in  his  official  account,  states 
that  at  the  time  the  enemy  advanced  against  De- 
troit, he  could  not  bring  into  the  field  more  than 
600  men,  that'  the  regular  force  of  the  enemy* 
th«B  advancing,  was  mueh  more  than  that  num^ 
ber,  and  twice  that  number  rf  Indians* 

An  oflioial  letter  from  Colonel  Cass,  who  ha4 
A  command  under  General  Hull,  put  the  business 
la  quite  a  different  light,  concluding  with  the  fol- 
lowing paragraph. 

«I  was  informed  by  Gen.  Hull,  the  morning  after 
the  capitulation,  that  the  British  forces  consisted  of 
1800  regulars,  and  that  he  surrendered  to  prevent 
the  effusion  of  human  blood.— That  he  magnified 
their  regular  force  nearly  five  fold,  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  Whether  the  philanthropic  reason  assigned 
by  him  is  a  sufiicient  justification  for  surrendering  a 
fortified  town,  an  army,  and  a  territory,  is  for  the  go- 
yernment  to  determine.  Confident  I  am,  that  had  the 
courage  and  conduct  of  the  General  been  equal  to 
the  spirit  and  zeal  of  the  troops,  the  event  would 
have  been  as  brilliant  and  successful,  as  it  now  is  dis- 
astrous and  dishonourable." 

The  British  official  account  is  positive  as  to 
the  inferiority  of  the  enemy's  force. 

The  following  extriict  from  the  official  report 
of  Sir  George  Prevost,  will  show  how  weak  the 
garrisoii  of  Amherstburg,  or  Maiden  was>  €t 


■0 


•P'  -4 


;^   ^ 


^>.X 


40 


msTORT  OV  THE  WAR. 


>l^j'^^ 


the  time  when  General  Hull  passed  into  Qanada^ 
having  then  under  his  command  nearlj  2500 
inen.  ** 

«  The  garrison  of  Amherstburg  consisted  (at  the 
lame  when  General  Hull  passed  into  Canada,)  of  a 
subaltern's  detachment  of  the  royal  artillery,  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant  Troughton ;  of  a  detatchment 
of  SCO  men,  of  the  41st  regiment,  under  the  com* 
mand  of  Captain  Muir;  and  of  about  as  many  of  thft 
militia ;  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel St.  George,  inspecting  field  officer  of 
militia  in  the  district." 


4  f 


i.  A  few  dajs  before  the  surrender  of  Detroit^ 
Major  Van  Horn^  of  Colonel  Findley's  reglmeDt 
of  Ohio  voluDteersy  was  detatohed  with  ahotit 
^00  men^  to  proceed  to  the  river  Raisin,  to  t*e]n- 
force  Oiptain  Brush,  who,  with  a  company  of 
Ohio  volunteers,  were  escorting  provisions  for 
the  army.  At  Browostown,  a  large  party  of 
Indians  formed  an  ambuscade*  and  the  niajor'a 
detachment  received  a  heavy  fire  at  a  few  yarda 
from  the  enemy.  The  whole  detachment  re- 
treated in  great  disorder,  and  could  not,  bj 
any  exoHion  of  Major  Van  Horn,  be  rallied.-^ 
On  tliis  occasion,  there  were  7  officers  and  IQ 
privates  killed,  besides  a  considerable  number 
wounded. 

_  __  __^_  •  lit, 

^  Before  the  return  of  Major  Van  Horn,  an- 
other detachment  consisting  of  COO  men,  undei* 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  was  ordered 
to  proceed  to  the  river  Kaisin,  to  open  the  com- 
inunication  to  the  river,  and  protect  the  provi* 
sions,  which  were  under  the  escort  of  Captain 
Brush.  Lieut.  Col.  Miller  marched  from  De- 
tf'oit  on  the  8th  of  August;  and  on  the  9th,  about 
4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  van-guard,  comf 
ttanded  by  Capt.  SaeUingf  of  the  4th  U.  S.  re(^ 


ti 


'     I 


4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WlR. 


U 


ment,  was  fired  upon  by  an  extensive  line  of  In- 
dians and  British,  at  the  lower  part  of  Maguago^ 
about  1^  miles  from  Detroit.  Gapt.  Snellmg 
maintained  his  ground  in  a  most  gallant  man- 
ner, under  a  very  heavy  fire,  until  the  arrival 
of  the  main  body,  under  Lient.  Col.  Miller,  when 
a  general  attack  was  made  on  the  enemy,  who 
was  compelled  to  retreat  before  the  Americans. 
The  route  continued  until  feitigue,  and  the  ap- 
proach of  night,  rendered  it  necessary  to  desist 
from  further  pursuit. 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  surrender  of  De- 
troit, a  provisional  agreement  was  entered  into 
by  General  Dearborn^  and  Colonel  Baynesy  the 
British  Adjutant-General,  that  neither  party 
should  act  oflTenslvely  before  the  decision  of  the 
American  government  should  be  takeil  on  the 
subject.  This  suspension  of  hostilities,  was 
grounded  on  a  letter  from  Sir  George  Prevost> 
Governor  of  Lower  Canada,  to  General  Dear- 
born, suggesting  the  probability  of  a  genend 
suspension  of  hostilities,  in  consequence  of  a  pro- 
posed suspension  or  repeal  of  the  British  orders 
In  oounoiU  of  which  Mr.  Foster*  late  ministetr 
to  the  United  States,  had  reoeived  advices  on  his 
lirrival  at  Halifax.  Whether  Governor  Prevost 
seriously  believed  all  which  he  represented*  or 
Hiat  the  suspension  of  hostilities,  which  did  not 
include  the  operations  of  Detroit,  was  intended 
to  favour  the  British  army  ia  that  quarter,  can- 
not now  be  determined;  it,  however,  enabledt- 
tfae  British  to  reinforce  General  Brock,  and  pro- 
tialily  contributed  to  the  fall  6f  Detroit.  The 
American  government,  viewing  the  British  pro- 

eittidd  as  coming  in  ati  indirect  manner,  ofl^r^ 
j^no  satisfactory  seiDurity  for  its  observailoe^ 
aiSl  adhering  with  tittlis  variation  to  their  f<^ 


^1 


I 


I* 


••■■.if,.'.' 


■n^l 


m 

m 
m 


',* 


■KM 


1^3 


HI8T0BT  Of  THB  WAK. 


mec  pretencesy  did  not  hesitate  to  disagree  to^ 
the  proposal.  The  armistice  terminated  on  the 
8th  September. 

The  disgraeefttl  surrender  of  Detroit  was^  !■ 
some  degree^  to  be  compensated  for,  bj  the 
bravery  of  American  seamen.  On  tlie  19th 
Aug.  1812,  the  American  frigate  ConstitutioD* 
Captain  Isaac  Hull,  fell  in  with  his  Britaimie 
jnajestjr's  frigate  Guerriere»  Captain  J.  B.  Da- 
cres,  in  lat.  40,  20,  N.  Ion.  B5,  iv.  and  after  a 
severe  action  of  SO  minutes,  during  which  the 
Americans  displayed  great  superiority  in  taclios 
and  courage,  the  British  shi^  surrendered. 
""^  The  Guerriere  suffered  so  much  in  her  rig- 
ging and  hull,  and  was  so  entirely  disabled,  that 
it  was  found  impossible  to  tow  her  into  port ;  the 
was  of  course  burnt,  by  order  of  Captain  Hull^ 
as  soon  as  the  prisoners  were  removed. 
?' The  Guerriere  had  been  formerly  a  Freneli 
4^,  but  was  rated  only  at  38 ;  she  earned  48 
guns.  \w 

^-  The  following  official  account  of  her  eaptaro 
from  the  French^  hy  the  British  naval  captaifly 
Lavie,  places  this  point  in  an  indisputable  viewy 
as  the  advocates  of  Britain,  sorely  hurt  by  this 
proof  of  the  superiority  of  American  oavai  tae« 
tics,  endeavoured  to  misrepresent  the  relative 
site  and  force  '6f  the  American  and  British  fri- 
gates. '  ^ 

From  Capt.  Lavib.  to  Lxmrn  Kbitik.  ^ 

Blanche,  Yurmoutk^  July  26^  l$06» 

**  Mt  LoRf>— 'I  have  the  honour  to  acqusdnt  you  of 
my  return  to  Yarmouth  to-day,  having  in.  company 
ihe  Guerriere  frigate,  commanded  by  Monsieur  Blu,- 
bert,  of  the  Legion  of  Honour,  whom  I  captured 
on  the  I9thinst.  in  long.  62,  off  the  Faro  Islaiidt^ 
after  a  sharp  contest  of  45  minute^/' 


Sa< 


im 
rei 


v# 


BISTOI^  OV  THE   WA^t 


^ 


«Le  Guerriere  is  of  the  largest  class  of  frigateSf 
mountiag  fifty  guns,  with  a  complement  of  3  IT  meo^ 
but  they  were  very  soon  sadly  redticed  by  our  de- 
structive fire,  and  the  ship  has  also  suffered  very  se- 
verely,  while  the  damages  of  the  Blanche  were  con* 
^ned  to  the  topmaatSy  rigging,  and  sails. 

"THOMAS  LAVIE." 

The  following  is  a  return  of  the  killed  and 
i^ounded. 

On  board  the  Constitution,  one  lieutenant  ofma* 
rines,  and  six  scamen-*Total  killed,  7«  Two  of&cersy 
four  seameny  and  one  marine-— Total  wounded^  T^ 
Tptal  killed  and  wounded  14. 
'^'  ^On  board  the  Guerriere,  killed  15,  wounded  63 f 
inissing  37— Total,  105. 

The  most  enthusiastic  joy  was  manifested 
throughout  every  part  of  the  United  States^  oil 
the  arrival  of  advices  of  this  engagement.  Cap- 
iain  Hull  and  his  men  received,  wherever  they 
appeared,  the  most  unbounded  applause.  ThanM 
were  voted  by  Congress*  and  by  several  publio 
bodies;  and  Congress  appropriated  50,000  dol- 
larsy  to  be  gi?en  to  the  officers  and  crew  of  ihp 
.Constitution^  as  an  indemnifieation  for  the  losji 
sustained  by  the  destruction  of  the  Guerriere.  , 
>  Her  navy  was  the  chief  boast  of  England^  and 
on  It  was  her  chief  reliance  ;  yet  she  was  de|« 
tined  to  meet  her  greatest  wounds  and  di9a8tei^ 
on  the  watery  element. 

t  On  the  17th  July,  the  British  appeared  befpre 
Sacket's  Harbour,  with  the  Royal  George^  of  iSli 
%unB«  the  Prince  Regent^  of  229  Elroira^  of  20» 
8eaeea»  of  I8i  and  another  armed  vesfeL  A 
message  was  sent  ashore^  demandiog  the  sur- 
render of  the  American  vessel  of  war«  the  Ono- 
Ma;  and  also  the  late  British  9<^ooiieY^  Nelmir> 


>),'■■' 

1-5 


»»*  '} 


1  - 


m 


%i 


M 


!'<¥' 


Sfl'J 


44 


BtSTOBT  09  THB  WAI. 


seized  for  a  breach  of  tbe  reyenne  Uws.  A- 
compliance  y/lih  Uiis  demand  being  perempto- 
rily refused)  the  enem;^  advanced  ivithin  gun  shot. 
A  firing  began  from  a  S2  pounder  asbore,  and 
y/M  returned  by  the  squadron,  which  stood  off 
find  on.  A  brisk  cannonading  was  continued  for 
more  than  two  hours,  when  a  shot  from  the  32 
pounder  having  raked  the  flag  ship  of  the  ene- 
my, as  she  was  wearing  to  give  another  broad- 
side, the  squadron  flred  a  few  guns,  and  bore 
away  for  Kingston,  tbe  citizens  greeting  them 
with  the  good  old  tune  of  •<  Yankee  Doodle,'^  from 
all  the  music  at  the  post.  The  British  shipping 
appeared  to  be  much  iiUured.  Not  a  man  lost  on 
the  American  side.       \ 

t  The  steadiness  of  t|lie  American  troops,  and 
the  alacrity  with  which  the  neighbouring  detach- 
ments and  volunteers,  to  the  amount  of  nearly 
3000,  assembled  for  the  protection  of  this  Im- 
portant post,  was,  at  this  early  stage  of  the  war^ 
a  pleasing  presage  of  what  might  be  hereafter 
expected,  when  men  would  become  more  inured 
to  danger.  Col.  Bellinger  commanded  the  Amer- 
ican troops.  Capt.  Woolsey,  who  comniand<- 
ed  the  Oneida,  having  sailed  from  the  harbour^ 
and  reconnoitered  the  enemy,  returned  and 
moored  his  vessel,  with  a  spring  on  her  cable* 
near  the  battery  ;  and  giving  tbe  command  of 
her  to  his  lieutenant,  he  went  ashore  and  took 
command  of  the  32  pounder,  which,  under  his 
direetion,  did  very  considerable  damage  to  the 
enemy* 

The  Frigate  Essex,  Captain  Porter,  sailed  on 
fteruise,  from  New-Tork)  on^  the  3d  July,  and 
arrived  in  the  Delaware,  the  7th  September. 
On  the  13th  August,  the  Essex  fell  in  with  Hkt 
Brltiib  sloop  of  war  Alert*    The  Alert  bore^ 


t    r 


a 

^111 

Jul 

pa] 


\'M 


^M. 


HIST0B1^  OF  THE   WAR. 


ifir 


down^  and  ooramenced  an  action*  ivhioh  lasted 
eight  minutes  ;  she  was  much  cut  to  pieces,  had 
seven  feet  water  in  her  hold  when  she  struck^ 
and  three  men  wounded.  The  Essex  received 
no  injury. 

'  Captain  Porter  having  thrown  the  guns  of  the 
Alert  overboard,  despatched  her  as  a  aartcl  to 
St.  John's,  in  Newfoundland,  witb  about  500 
prisoners  which  he  had  taken  in  the  Alert>  and 
from  other  captured  vessels. 

This  measure  was  adopted  in  consequence  of  fk 
written  agreement  between  Captain  Porter  of 
the  £s8ex,  and  Captain  Laugharne  of  the  Alert* 
It  was  calculated  to  convenience  both  partieSf 
and  to  lessen  the  evils  of  warfare.  A  prbpoai- 
tion  originating  in  the  humanity  of  the  Amerloail 
commander  ought  to  have  been  met  by  the  mott^ 
jprohipt  and  faithful  acquiescence  by  the  prlsoiii^ 
ers;and  the  BHtish  commander.  LIcutehaiit 
P.  Wilmer  was  sent  in  command  of  the  Alert, 
Which  was  to  be  sailed  by  her  own  crew,  so  great 
was  the  confidence  placed  in  their  hoooni* ;  yet  it 
appeiit*s  that  the  crew  took  the  coidbmand  of  tbt 
vessel  from  Lieutenant  Wilmer»  and  went  ott 
shore  without  submitting  in  any  manner  to  lAm 
•ohtroul.  Admiral  S.  T.  Duckworth,  who 
eommanded  at  St.  John's,  countenanced  this  ooii« 
duct  in  the  first  instance^  but  afterwards  subtnit- 
ted  to  the  arrangement,  which,  he  neverthelessj^ 
i^ontended,  was  <<  utterly  inconsistent  with  the 
laws  of  war." 

GtkVernor  Prevosty  of  Lower  Canada^  issued 
a  proclamation  on  the  19th  September,  by  which 
fill  Citizens  of  the  United  States  are  ordered  to 

Suit  Canada  hy  the  Idth  of  October ;  till  which 
me  they  nfay  depart  With  their  moveable  pro- 
ferty,  by  permission  of  three  of  the  oouaeil.; 


'','^IjPVi''.  if 


'h::^ 


40 


BKTORT  Of  TBX   WAS. 


'M 


(»-i^ 


After  that  timey  every  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  found  In  Canada^  iiviil  be  treated  as  a  pri« 
9oner  of  war»  unless  he  h^s  taken  the  oath  of  aU 
legiance.  ,r 

A  considerable  force  having  been  assembled  i« 
the  neighbourhood  of  Niagara  rivery  under  the 
eommand  of  Mt^,  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
with  the  view  as  was  generally  understood,  of 
effecting  a  descent  upon  the  British  provinoe  of 
Upper  Canada ;  a  strong  and  impatient  desire 
was  discovered  among  the  troops  to  try  their 
ttrength  against  the  enemy.  This  gradually  rose 
to  sueh  a  height,  that  resistance  to  it  seemed 
scarcely,  If  at  all  possible  ;  patriotism  was  pastp 
ing  the  limits  of  subordination.  <«  This  (^aj* 
the  general  in  his  official  oommunieation  to  Gen* 
Qearborn)  was  exprossed  to  me  through  various 
fiiannels,  in  the  shape  of  an  altemaiive  ;  thajt 
they  must  have  orders  to  act;  or»  at  all  hazards^ 
they  would  go  home.** 

Impelled  by  this  consideration*  the  general 
^ade  dispositions  for  the  intended  attack  on  the 
British  post  at.  the  heights  of  Queenstoh.  Some 
Information  gaiped  from  a  person  who  was  en* 
gaged  to  pass  over  to  Canada,  and  who  returned 
sale,  seemed  to  warrant  an  attaok,  which,  be<, 
sides  the  immediate  object  might  have  a  eon-* 
trolling  effect  upon  the  movements  at  Detroit* 
where  it  was  understood  the  British  General 
Brock  had  gone,  with  all  the  force  he  could  spare 
from  the  Niagara  frontier.  ^ 

An  intention  to  transport  troops  aerost  the 
river,  on  the  morning  of  the  litb  Oetober^  was 
frustrated  through  means  of  a  boatman,  selected 
for  bis  skill  and  steadiness ;  but  who,  going  a^^ 
head  in  the  extreme  darkness,  passed, the  intend* 
ed  plaeo  far  up  the  river^  and  there  fattoaed  litK 


boat  to 
In  this 
all  the 
was  gi 
oamp. 
*  Tills 
ardour 
force  t 
A  seco 

Ad< 
slsting 
CoLC 
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boat  to  tbe  sbore,  and  abandoned  tbe  detaebment. 
In  this  front  boat  nearly  every  oar  belonging  to 
all  tbe  boats  were  deposited.  The  expedition 
was  givt}0  up,  and  the  detachment  returned  to 
oanip. 

Tldv  eireumstance,  so  far  from  damping  tbe 
ardour  of  the  troops,  seemed  to  give  additional 
force  to  the  desire  of  encountering  the  enemy.-— 
A  second  attempt  was  determined  on. 

A  detaebment  from  the  ISth  regiment  con* 
sisting  of  abou<  300  men  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Chrystie*  and  ahout  500  militia,  command- 
ed by  Col.  Van  Rensselaer*  received  orders  from 
tbe  general  to  eruss  the  Niagara  River  on  tbe 
morning  of  the  Idth  inst.  which  was  in  part  ef- 
fected before  day,  under  a  very  heavy  and  de- 
»truotfvc  fii*e  of  grape  and  tnusket  shot  from  tbe 
British. 

In  crossing  the  river,  three  boats  with  troopa 
one  of  which  contained  Lieut.  Col.  Chrysticy 
were  carried  by  the  rapid  current  of  the  river 
far  below  the  point  of  landing  ;  and  as  soon  as 
Col.  Chrystie*8  boat  touched  tbe  shore  tbe  only 
guide  to  the  ground  left  tbe  colonel. 

In  consequence  of  this  disaster  not  more  tbail 
300  men,  at  first  efl^eted  a  landing.  Those  feWf 
bowever,  marched  on  under  a  b«avy  fire,  and 
iformed  a  line  on  tbe  f iH>nt  of  tbe  battery,  wber^ 
they  were  sheltered  by  a  bank,  upon  tbe  summit 
of  which  there  was  a  battery,  which  bad  proved 
very  destructive  to  officers  and  men.  From  tbe 
fire  of  this  battery,  and  that  of  a  bouse  on  their 
right  bank,  Col.  Van  Rensselaer  was  wounded 
and  Hkewke  Capt.  Armstj^oug,  Capt.  Lawrence^ 
Capt.  WooU  and  Lieut.  Lent  f  killed,  LiUnt.  Tal^ 
ieau  and  Bn^gn  Mlof^ls,  all  of  tbe  iStb. 

CSal^  Van  Rensselaer's  wesulds  were  seve^  • 


t  r  'mm 

vs.'''  li.^  SJ«3 


m 


BIBTOBT  OT  THE  VfXB* 


■f-.'-'v/i 


ball  passed  through  his  rigtit  thigh,  entering  just 
below  the  iiip  bone  ;  another  shot  pasHed  through 
the  same  thigh  a  little  below  ;  a  third  through 
the  calf  of  his  leg^  and  a  fourth  cartoused  his 
heel.  Lieut.  Col.  Chrj^stie  did  not  arrive  until 
some  time  after  this,  and  was  wounded  in  his 
hapd,  in  passing  the  river.  Col.  Van  Rensselaer 
inras  still  able  to  strand  ;  and.  with  great  presence 
of  mind,  ordered  his  men  to  proceed  and  storm 
the  fort. 

Sixty  determined  men*  led  by  Capt.  OgilviCf 
seconded  by  Capt.  WooS  (though  wounded)  and 
|jieut.  Kearney,  Lieut.  Oarr,  Lieut.  Hugginan^ 
ami  Lieut  Sammons,  £nsign  Reeve,  of  the  13thy 
Lieut.  Randolph,  and  Lieut.  Gansevoort,  eirou- 
itously  mounted  the  heights,  gave  three  cheers, 
and  immediately  charged  n  and,  after  the  third 
charge,  gained  complete  possession,  whioh  they 
kept  about  ten  hours.  Among  those  sixty  wer^ 
ten  of  the  militia.  During  the  time  they  had 
possession  of  the  heights,  they  received  some  re- 
inforcement. Lieut.  Col.  Chrystie  effected  his 
landing,  and  a  body  of  militia,  amounting,  in  the 
vhole,  to  about  500.  Col.  Scott  superseded  Capt* 
OgUvie  in  the  command  ;  soon  after  which  the 
British  reeeived  a  reinforcement  from  Forts 
George  and  Chippewa,  amounting  to  about  1100, 
including  Indians.  The  Indians  were  soon  re- 
pulsed, and  driven  to  the  woods. 

Capt.  Ogilvie,  of  the  13th  regiment,  who  led 
the  detachment  that  succeeded  m  taking  the  re- 
doubt upon  the  heights,  was  much  exposed  while 
lat  the  top  of  the  precipice ;  he  resolutely  continu- 
ed brandisbinghis  sword  as  a  signal  to  his  men 
to  advance.  The  exertions  of  Captain  Wool>  in 
lirp^ng  on  his  men,  after  he  was  wounded,  were 
Spirited  and  conspioaons.^ 


,m: 


mtmVKt  OV  TBK  VAB. 


«•» 


■K  AfUiT  thi«»  both  parties  were  consiflerablj  re* 
in&reecit  and  the  oonftiol  became  severe  and 
general ;.  tlie  enemy  was  oompelled  to  retreat  at 
every  point  of  attack*  and  the  route  was  follow- 
ed npf  with  great  spirit  by  the  Americans. 

i  JMnforcementt  continued  to  arrive  under  Cap. 
GUMoa»  of  the  artillery*  Captains  Maelcesney  and 
Lawrenoe,  of  the  infantry  ;  and  Colonels  Mead» 
AUen,  and  Stranahan*  of  the  militia.  A  little 
before  2  o'olock  in  the  afternoon,  Gen.  Wads- 
worths  lievt.  Col.  Chrystie*  and  Maj.  Mullany  * 
passed  over,  't'he  enemy*  at  this  moment*  re^ 
eelwd'Si  reisforeement  of  several  hundred  I ndl- 
ms  from  Chippewa*  andcommeneeda  furious  af- 

«•*•.••••••••••• ••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••• •••••••••fc 

*TbiB  sutcment  is  given  from  the. best  account 
that  could  be  procured.  The  compiler  has  Col. 
l^u^lauy's  luth^rity  in  saying,  that  this  was  the  fiftli 
time  l\e  passed  over  during  the  eng^ement.  Froo^ 
ati  official  report  of  Col.  MiilUny  to  Uen.  Van  Henso 
seleari dat^dSth  Jan.  18 1 3,  (the  original  of  which  if 
ta  tht  officfe  of  th6  War  Department,  but  which  hasi 
Hbt  bisen  pubffshed^  the  fdllowitig  ektt^tt  is  given  ^ 
;t4  wf  Cannot  in' jiistice  close  this  communication^ 
wkhottt^xpreisshsg  my  astonishment  atthiJ  omiiiiA^ 
efic8(Coi«  MulHii^'s  de^chment)  ardnods,  its  deiM 
perate  dudeaioyour  official  detail  of  that  day,  id^ 
though  iadtfferent  as  to  mjrsolf  satisfied  I  witt  vei^ 
have  justice  done,  when  the  scones  of  ti|aV4oiefpna# 
aM  hoitfr  knuiwn«  AHaoy  of  mj  otiicers  merited  a 
fuU  ,sharo^f  Pllbli^  notice;  and,  ^m  my  know^ 
^^!^  ^Y9^J^U%  to  a  want  of  correct  informationy  1 
aj|c^i|}etbe  causeofcQQipl|4nt.'*  *        */ 

^General  Vj^n|tensseUer,i^^  reply  to  Col  Mullai^ 
%ted^lbany,  Jan.  ^^3^^^^  1813,  acknowledges  juid  ro- 
^etii  ^e  dliiistdn  ih  ..is  official  detail  in  which  thier 
Hrltcei  of  ^0  Cotandhis  commanil  were  omitted^ 


m--:^-- 


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SItTOBT  OV  THE  WAB^ 


taek*  but  were  promptly  met*  and  routed  bj  |ho 
flAe  and  bayonet.    Yiotory  teemed  c^omplete. 

The  General  obserylng  a  be»itaiion  in  the  em- 
barkation of  troops,  he  patted  over  to  aoeelerate 
their  movementt.  Could  the  detaili  of  thit  day 
be  here  eloted^  all  would  be  bonourt  all  would 
be  glory  to  the  Ameriean  eharaeter.  But  it  mutt 
be  recorded ;  alas !  it  eannot  be  eoneealed*  that 
no  pertuation  of  the  general,  or  of  Lieut.  €oK 
Bloom,  who,  although  wounded,  rode  through  the 
eamp,  nor  of  judse  Peek,  who  also  exerted  him- 
self on  thin  oocation,  eould  influence  the  remain- 
ing troops  to  pats  Into  the  boats.  A  large  rein- 
foreement  from  Fort  Greorge,  toon  afterwards 
yfM  seen  eoming  up  the  river ;  this  reinforce- 
ment obliqued  to  the  right  from  the  road,  and 
formed  a  Junetion  with  the  Indians  in  the  rear 
of  the  heights.  t 

The  superiority  in  numbers  of  the  British  and 
their  Indians  allies  induced  the  American  oiScerf 
to  hold  aeoBsultation,  at  which  they  were  dis- 
posed to  ^lispute  the  ground  theyhekl;  but  .ft 
note  was  reoeivedlh>m  Gen.  Van  Renstelaeiv  iof 
forming  them  he  could  afford  them  no  assittancef 
and  that  he  would  e-over  their  retreat  at  the  bat- 
tery, at  Fort  Grey,  and  fiirnish  boats  to  re  cross 
the  river-;  and  finding  by  Colonel  Stranaban  that 
the  militia  would  no  longer  act,  a  retreat  was  re- 
sol  ved  upon.  They  retreated  in  good  order,  with- 
out the  loss  of  a  man,  to  the  mai*gin  of  die  river 
but,  to  their  extreme  mortification,  not  a  boat 
wail  there  to  reeelve  them,  nor  did  any  arrive. 
'After  remaining  in  this  extremely  painful  situa- 
tion about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  this  little  iiand^ 
eurrendereil  to  about  Aife  times  their  Aumber. 

Previous  to  this«  however,  a  eolumn  of  British 
regulars  adnuivtedy  commaiuied  by  Ghxi.  Broet^ 


UltTOmT  Off  THE  WJLB. 


i^. 


^e  British  Gen«ral*s  horse  was  killed  by  a  pri^ 
vate  of  the  name  of  Wilklowt  who  was  enlisted 
in  Orange  eountj  ;  shortly  after  whiek  the  gen- 
eral himself  felly  within  pistol  shot  of  the  Ame- 
riean  troops, 

'  The  enemy  consisted  of  a  part  of  the  49th  re- 
gimenty  who  with  Gen.  Brooke  had  signalizetf 
themselves  in  Egjpt»  and  from  their  valour  were 
called  the  invinoibles.  Before  this  they  ht»d  ne- 
ver been  known  to  give  an  ineh  of  gt'ound*  and 
acknowledged*  after  the  sarrender^  they  had  ne- 
ver fought  with  sueb  brave  roeii.  They  treated 
their  prisoners  with  tenderness  ik«id  respect*  and 
allowed  them  as  much  merit  as  brave  men  eould 
desire.  The  number  of  American  troops  killed 
amounted  to  not  more  than  60*  and  about  100^ 
wore  wounded.  The  number  of  prlsonersr  iaelit- 
ding  the  wounded,  amounted  to  about  700: 
;  But  the  victorious  enemy*  though  generous 
and  tender  to  those  who*  by  the  fortune  of  war^ 
had  fallen  into  their  power*  imposed  no  restraint 
upon  their  Indian  allies  from  stripping  and  soalp^ 
ing  the  dying  and  the  slain  that  remained  upon 
the  field  of  battle.  Captain  Ogilvie  himself  saw 
the  lifeless  body  of  Ensign  Morris  stripped  even 
^f  Its  shirt*  ami  the  skull  of  one  who  bad  beep 
wounded*  was  seen  oloven  by  a  tomahawk. 
^ "  The  general,  in  his  offieial  despatches*  bears 
evidence  to  the  bravery  and  good  conduct  of  all 
engaged;  noticing,  in  particular*  General  Wads- 
worth  ;  Cols.  Van  Rensselaer  and  Seolt ;  Lieut. 
Cols.  Chrystie,  Fenwlck*  Bloom*  Allen,  Stran- 
ahan*  aiid  Mead  ;  Majors  Spencer*  Mosely,  and ' 
Lush  ;  Captain  Gibsim,  Lieut.  Smith,  apd  En- 
sign G'rosvenor.  ,. 
Major  General  Tan  Rensselaer  resigned  the 
llie  firmy^  OB  tha.Niagara  frontier^ 


M 


1«'; 


•vr-;,*:; 


M 


-1- 


W: 


52 


HlBTdBT  OV  TRE   WMl. 


Brigadier  Geaeral  Smyth,  on  the  14th  Oe^ 
tober.  V.  \-  -  '.•'• 

On  the  10th  NoTembery  General  Sn^li  fillip' 
lished  a  proelamation  from  hi«  oamp  near  Buf- 
faloe.  As  this  document  became  the  snljeet  of 
mitch  comment,  k  is  given  here  in  foil.  It  wa» 
In  the  following  words : 

TO  TU£   MEN   OV  N£W-¥OBK. 

Formany  tears  yoti  have  seen  your  country  op- 
pressed with  numerous  wrongs.    Your  government^ 
although  above  all   others^  devoted  to  peace,  have 
heen  forced  to  draw  the  sword,  and  rely  for  redreaa 
of  injuries  on  the  valour  of  the  American  people. 

That  valour  has  been  conspicuous.  But  the  na«K 
tlon  has  been  unfortunate  in  the  selection  of  spinO; 
p.f  those  who  directed  it.  One  army  has  been  di^r, 
gracefully  surrendered  and  lo&t.  Anptlier  has  beeit, 
^cri£cedby  a  precipitate  attempt  to  pass  it  over  ai 
the  strongest  point  of  the  eneiny's  lines,  with  most 
incompetent  nieans.  The  cause  of  these  miscart 
riages  is  apparent.  The  commanders  were  popular 
rnen,  <<  destitute  alike  of  theory  and  experience*'  In 
the  art  of  war. 

In  a  few  days,  the  troops  under  my  command,  will 
plant  the  American  standard  in  Canada.  They  are 
men  accustomed  to  obedience,  -siirlenGe,  and  steadii 
uess.     They  will  conquer,  or  they  will 'die. 

Will  you  stand  with  your  arms  folded,  and  look 
on  this  interesting  struggle  ?  are  you  not  related 
to  the  men  who  fought  at  Bennington  and  Saratoga! 
lias  the  race  degenerated  ?  Or  have  you,  under  tho 
baneful  influence  of  cpnte>iding  facttone,  fprgotyour 
country?  Must  I  turn.frooi  you,  and  ask  men  of 
the  six  nations  to  support  the  government  of ,  the 
United  States  ?  Shall  T  imitate  the  ollicers  of  the 
British  king,  and  suffer  our  ungathered  laurei|^^p 
be  tarnished  by  ruthless  de^d^  t  Shame  where  is 
thy  blush  ?  -No.  Where  !  command;  the  Vanquish^ 
cd  and  the  peaceful  man^  the  child,  the  maid)  and} 


^4!t:,r 


BISTORT  09  THB  YlkR. 


5ft 


the  matron  shall  be  secure  from  wrong.  If  we  con* 
quer,  we  will "  conquer  but  to  save." 

Men  V  J^ew'  York  ! 

^  The  present  is  the  hour  of  renown.  Have  you  not 
•  wish  for  fame  ?  Would  you  not  choose  in  futur^ 
times  to  be  named  as  one  qfthote^  who,  imitating  tho 
heroes  whom  Montgomery  led,  have,  in  spite  of  the 
jieasons,  visited  the  tomb  e€  the  chief,  and  conquered 
the  country  where  he  lies  ?  Yes.  You  desire  youv 
ahare  of  fame.  Then  seize  the  present  moment*  If 
you  do  not,  you  will  regret  it ;  and  say,  <<  the  valiant 
have  bled  in  vain  ;  the  friends  of  my  c&ntry  fell-^ 
and  I  was  not  there."  ^ 

Advance  then  to  our  aid.  I  will  wait  for  you  a 
few  dayft.  I  cannot  give  you  the  day  of  my  de<^ 
parture.  But  come  on.  Come  in  companies,  half 
companies,  pairs,  or  singly.  I  will  organize  you  for 
a  short  tour.  Ride  to  this  place,  if  the  distance  isi^ 
far,  and  send  back  your  horses.  But  remember,  that 
every  man  who  accompanies  us,  places  himself  un» 
der  my  command,  and  shall  submit  to  the  salutary 
restraints  of  discipline. 

ALEX.  SMYTH, 
:«  Brig.-General. 

i^  Camfiy  near  jBuffalo9,M)v^  10 f~  1912,. 

4  This  proclamation-  had  the  effect  ofbringingr 
to  the  frootier  a  very  cofisiderable  number  of 
ToliiBteerd,  mea  wha  lived  the  hardy  Hfe  of  farm- 
ers, were  acoustomedto  the  woods^,  knew  well  the 
u«e  pf  the  rifle,  and  feared  Indians-  as  little  a» 
they  did  Englishmem 

On  the  17U1  Novemhery  Gem  Smyth  iissued  a 
public  address  to  hhi  sohliersy  preparatory  to  aor 
immediately  Intended  entrance  Into  iihe  enemy'a^ 
territory.    The  sentiments  contained  in  this  ad-^ 
dress  are  noble> .  hiloiane,  and  soldierly*    Froin^ 
such  a  general  and  such  an  army,  the  publie 
lieoted  a.  very  successful  campaign. 


li 


UYSTOBT  OV  THE  WAB*^ 


On  the  morniog  of  the  21st  November)  IStS^K 
heavy  eannonade  was  opened  upon  the  garrison* 
of  Fort  Niagara,  from  all  the  battei4es  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Fort  George,  eon^isting  of  five 
detaehed  batteries,  two  mounting  24  pounders, 
one  mounting  a  9,  and  two  mortar  batteries,  The 
firing  continued  thirteen  hours ;  some  buildings 
were  set  an  lire  by  the  hot  shot  f  i*om  the  enemyy 
but  extinguished  without  doing  material  injury* 

The  garrison  at  Niagara,  in  return,  opened  at 


!  building  in  Fort  George.  CapC 
^rXeon  commanded  a  12  pounder  in  the  S»  £» 
bioek-hpuse,  and  distinguished  himself  by  his 
usual  gallantry  and  skill.  Capt.  Jacks,  of  the  7tll 
regiment  militia  artillery,  «ommanded  a  6  pound- 
er on  the  N.  block-house,  and  together  with  a 
part  of  his  own  eompany»  though  placed  in  a  sit« 
nation  most  expose>d  to  the  fire  of  the  enemyi 
maintained  their  poskion  like  yeterans.  Lieut» 
Bees,  of  the  artillery,  had  command  of  an  1 8 
pounder  en  the  S.  £.  battery ;  until  10  o^eloek, 
when  be  received  a  wound,  which  compelled  him 
to  resign  the  command  to  Capt  Leonard,  of  the 
artillery.  Ueut.  M^endell,  of  the  dd  artillery,  com* 
mandcd  an  18  and  a  4  pounder  on  the  W.  battery, 
Dr.  Hooper,  of  the  militia,  commanded  a  6  pound* 
er  on  I  he  mess  house  ;  Lieuts.  Ganesvoort  and 
Harris  had  the  command  of  the  salt-battery  at 
Youngstown,  mounting  one  18  and  a  4  pountler^ 
{These  several  posts  were  maintained  with  reso* 
lution,  judgment,  and  great  fffect.  Lieut.  €d. 
Gray  commanded  the  artillery,  and  gave  the 
most  satisfaetory  proof  of  his  zeal  and  science. 
Major  Armttead  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  was 
indefatigable  in  extending  his  exertion  to  all 


HI8T0KT  01  TH11  WAV* 


55 


pttrts  of  the  garrison.  Lieut.  Col.  George  Me. 
Feeljr  oomiUAnded  the  fort.  The  American  loss 
oonsiftted  of  four  kilted  and  seven  woiinded. 

rhe  hopes  which  General  Smyth  had  raised  bj 
his  proclamation  were  not  to  be  realized.  Twice 
the  troops  embarked,  and  as  often  disembarked. 
Public  opinion^  hitherto  on  the  side  of  General 
Smjthy  now  began  to  veer.  His  eourage  as  well 
as  his  patriotism  was  questioned  ;  censure  was 
followed  by  insult  and  menace.  The  project  of 
invasion  was  finally  abandoned.  The  volunteers 
were  dismissed,  and  the  army  ordered  into  wiii- 
t«r  qnarters.  Thus  ended  the  operations,  for 
this  season,  of  the  army  ofilie  centre.  ; 

Gen.  Smyth  justified  himself  on  the  groirnds 
that  lie  had  directions  not  to  pass  ovor  with  less 
than  ^OG  Mnea  ;  that  he  eould  not  prevail  on 
more  th^  a  ^  00  men  to  embark  ;  and  that  an  at* 
tack  oa  the  enemy  under  such  circumstances,  was 
eontrary  to  the  opinion  of  a  council  of  his  officers; 
«  My  orders  (says  the  general,  in  a  reply  to  II 
committee  from  the  patriotic  citizens  of  tne  west- 
ern  counties  of  New- York)  were  to  pass  into  Ca« 
juida  with  ddO&  men  at  once.  On  the  first  day 
of  embarkation  not  more  than  1400  men  were 
cmbarkedy  of  whom  400,  that  is,  half  of  the  re- 
gular infantry,  were  exhausted  with  fatigue  and 
want  of  rest.  On  the  second  embarkation,  only 
1500  men  were  embarked,  and  these  were  to  have 
put  off  immediately,  and  to  have  descended  the 
river  to  a  point  where  reinforcements  were  not 
to  be  ejtpected.  On  both  days  many  of  the  re- 
gular troops  were  men  in  bad  health  who  eoulil 
not  have  «tood  one  day's  march  |  who,  althooeh 
they  were  on  the  sick  report,  were  turned  out  by 
their  ardent  ofllcers.''  '^ 

1M%  reply  waft  dated  Id  December.    On  (be 


v:t:' 


l-'y 


■fi4i 


'!> 


»*•■ 


^6 


HISTORY  OT  THE  VAR« 


m- 


8th  of  the  same  month,  General  I*eter  B.  Porter 
gave  notice  in  the  BuflTaloe  Gazette,  thathevould 
soon  publijth  a  *<  true  account  of  some  of  the  most 
•prominent  transactions  of  those  ^da\Sr"  In  this 
notice  General  Porter  ascribes  the  failure  of  the 
expedition  to  the  cowardice  of  General  Smyth*  ^  \ 

General  Smyth  roust  remain  convicted,  in  th^ 
eyes  of  the  world,  of  falsehood  and  cowardice*  if 
he  continned  passive  under  such  charges.  Mo* 
dern  chivalry  pointed  out  the  course  which  musi 
be  pursued.  General  Smyth  sent  a  challenge  to 
General  Porter,  which  the  latter  accepted. 
v»  The  parties  passed  over  to  Grand  Island,  on 
the  ISth  December;  a  shot  was eitchanged, in  an 
intreiMd  manner,  but  without  e^ot,  wheUf  on  the 
suggestion  of  General  Smyth's  second,  a  mutnal 
explanation  and  reconeiliation  took  plaee ;  and 
the  parties  separated. 

General  Porter,  on  the  following  dav,  deliver- 
ed Iho  promised  statement  of  transactions  to  the 
editor  of  the  Buffkloe  Gazette,  in  which  paper  it 
aceordfngly  appeared. 

The  statement  is  plain  and  satisfactory ;  and 
divested  of  that  asperity,  which  was  probably  in- 
tended to  accompany  it. 

.  In  this  statement,  it  is  represented,  that,  on 
ihe  27th  November,  there  were  collected  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Niagara,  4500  effective  men  ; 
that  the  ;vessels  collected  for  the  purpose,  were 
snflieient  for  the  transportation  of  3500  men  ^ 
that  the  number  of  men  actually  embarked  were 
eitimated  to  consist  of  between  2000  and  2600  ;'. 
that  about  2000  more  men  were  paraded  on^ 
shore,  seemingly  ready  to  cross  $  that  several 
boats  of  9u(Bcient  capacity  to  carry  about  i000« 
men  were  still  Ijring  unoeeupied  ;  and  that.tho 
•nemy,  estimated  at  about  500  men,  were  dsawn 
i|i  in  a  line;,  at  about  half  a  mile  from  therher*. 


mSTORT  OF  THB  WUBt 


Wii> 


As  a  proof  of  what  oould  be  effecledf  had  tbo 
men  been  permitted  to  pass  o^epy  General  P(n% 
ter  states  the  bravery  and  soeoess  with  which 
a  detachment  which  crossed  over  by  direetioa 
of  General  Sm3rth9  accomplished  Its  mission  ; 
having  completely  routed  the  enemy^  spiked  hit 
oannon  and  taken  several  prisoners.  «  Out  of  ^ 
15S  naval  offieersy  who  embarked  onthisenter* 
prise,  nine  of  them,  (says  General  Porter,)  witli 
more  than  half  their  men*  were  killed  or  woim^  > 
ded,'*  .^ 

General  Smyth,  in  a  letter  lo  the  editors  of  the 
National  IntelligeDGcr,  dated  23d  January,  l$t5f 
refutes  the  statement  of  General  Porter.  r 

M I  affirm,  (says  General  Smyth^)  that  on  the  37th'' 
November,  there  were  collected  in  the  neighbour- 
hood  of  Black '  ^ock,  not  more  than   BSQO^ecir&e} 
men,  non-commissioned  officers,  and   privates,   Of 
every  corps  under  my  command;  not  more  than 
I  dOO  of  those  were  liable  to  be  ordered  to  cross  %ha  . 
Niag^ara,  according  to  opinions  generally  received** 
On  the  21  St,  there  were  1050  good  troops  embarked 
and  also  as  many  irregular  volunteers  as  occupied 
fiveboats,  estimated  dt  150.    On  the  morning  of  tlie 
1st  December,  the  number  of  men  armed  with  n^iis- 
kets,  who  were  at  the  navy-yard,   embarked  or  lypi* 
embarked,  did  not  exceed  dOOO  ihen.*' 

In  this  refutation,  General  Smyth  Insinuates 
that  General  Porter,  acting  a^  contractor  to  the 
army,  was  not  prepared  to  supply  the  necessary 
rations,  having  on  the  80th  November  only  35 
barrels  of  flour  on  hand,  <<  not  two  poui^k  of 
fiourtoeach  man.*' — The  hostility  of  General . 
Porter  to  myself,  (says  Gjcneral  Smy thu)  grew 
out  of  the  (Contract.  J^  % 

While  the  expedilloh  thus  progressed  froQi 
Ul-designi  to  its  uaivoitlable  ooiiSQ;^u^noot  an? 


'*■ 


'ii 


>^ 


mm] 


W 


£i 


t 


fiistoBT  6i  tAb  #iv« 


1% 


M 


(b 


Buoeessful  terminatibny  the  minr  expeditions  di4 
honour  to  the  offlcers  who  eoiut  anded,  and  the 
few  men  who  were  engaged  in  them.  Among 
thi^ the  following  must nothe omitted. 

The  Brigs  Adams  and  Caledoniat  whieh  #m 
•urrendered  to  the  enemy  hy  General  HolK  at 
Detroit^  having  arrived  and  anchored  under  the 
British  Fc»rt  Erie,  on  the  8th  Oetoher,  181^ 
Captain  filliot,  of  the  navy,  who  had  arrived  at 
Blaok  Book  the  same  day,  with  a  hody  Of  sailors 
from  New- York,  determined  on  an  attempt  to 
regain  them.  Having  made  the  necessary  dis- 
positions, he  advanced  at  i  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  9th  Oetober,  having  under  his  com- 
mand, 100  men  in  two  boats,  iocludirtg  SO  volun- 
teers from  the  army,  with  Captain  Townson,and 
Lieutenant  Roache,  of  the  artillery  $  at  3  o'cloek 
he  was  alongside  the  vessels ;  in  ten  minutes 
they  were  under  way,  and  Uie  prisoners  se- 
cured. An  unfavourable  wind  obliged  them  to 
run  down  the  river,  by  the  forts,  under  a  heavy 
lire  of  round,  grape,  and  eannister  shot^  from 
a  number  of  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  find  fly- 
11^  artillery ;  and  he  was  compelled  to  anchor 
atlout  40  yards  fVom  one  of  their  batteries ;  the 
Caledonia  being  got  into  a  safe  position,  a  fire 
was  returned  ft*oni  the  guns  of  the  Adams,  as 
long  as  ammunition  tasted.  ^  It  being  found  im- 
possible longer  to  withstand  the  lire  of  the  ene- 
Itiy,  which  would  prohably  sink  the  vessel  fti  ^ 
short  time,  he  was  compelled  i6  cut  the  cablCj^ 
Aid  drift  down  the  river,  out  of  i^ach  of  thebat- 
tl^ries,  but  reriiain^d  sfill  exp^ytedtO  theflvfng 
tfrtiHcEj ;  having  thus  dTopt  astern  for  ttho^t 
ten  tfiinutes,  and  being  deserted  by  the  pilot,  h« 
was  brbttgfat  tt{^  on  the  slioi^e  of  8^a#  Isflilid, 
From  this  place  he  sent  the  prisoners  do  shor^ 


It 

16 


rs 
to 


BTITOET  09  THX  WAS. 


with  mueh  difllcultj^ ;  aiid»  having  himself  pass** 
ed  from  the  brig  to  the  shore,  he  soon  discovereil 
that  about  forty  soldiers  hi^d  crossed  in  a  boat^ 
from  the  British  side,  and  boarded  the  brig  ;  bul 
they  were  soon  eompelled  to  abandon  her,  with 
the  loss  of  nearly  all  their  men.  During  the 
whole  of  the  mornings  both  sides  of  the  river 
kept  up  alternately  a  continual  ilre  on  the  brici- 
and  so  mueh  injured  her,  that  it  was  impossibhi 
to  have  ioated  her—  he  a  of  course  destroy ed# 
^  A  patrole  was  sk^tiouv  on  theslior  .  '9eo« 
operate  in  ease  of  emergeney  ;  it  was  commandf. 
ed  by  Lieut.  Coh  Soott,  of  the  artillery,  having 
under  him  Majpr  Mullany,  of  the  infantry,  ast  a 
volunteer.  Major  Cuyler,  Aid  to  General  Hall^ 
and  J.  BanMiead,  Brigade  M^yor  to  General 
Smyth's  brigade.  As  Alsgors  Mullauy  and  Cuy» 
ler  were  riding  elose  together,^  the  former  re- 
ceived an  order  from  Col.  Scott  to  proceed  to 
the  navy  yard,  to  direct  two  boats  to  be  mannedft 
and  sent  to  the  assiatanoeof  the  captured  vessels; 
be  had  but  just  sprang  ahead,  in  execution  of  thif 
order,  when  a  round  shot  from  the  enemy,  whioli; 
passed  throiigh  the  fore-sail  of  the  Adams^ 
struok,  and  instantly  killed  Miyor  Cuyler,  aad 
thus  deprived  the  serviee  of  a  brave  and  useful 
^eer.  * 

Midor  Young,  of  the  Troy  Militia,  command*-' 
ant  of  a  detachment  stationed  at  Freiioh  Milts, 
on  the  St.  Regis  river,  having  received  informa«r. 
tion  that  a  party  of  the  enemy  had  arrived  at 
the  village  of  St.. Regis,  and  that  more  wera 
Khortiy  expected,  formed  a  resolution  to  tAk%i 
them  out  before  they  were  reinforced.  For  this 
purpose 'he  marchetf  a  detachment  at  11  o''olo<^kr 
on.  the  aiglit  ofthe.^lst  Octoher»  orosted  tho 


.* 


V 


u 


A' 


m 
m 


Ill 

■•':    '■'•;'h!fl 


*,•?■'.," 


•ft^' 


ttlSTOBT  07  THS  WAY. 


ifffl 


•\i'"',m 


€l 


fm<i 


river,  at  Gray's  Mills,  abo*it  3,  and  at  five  in  tha 
nornlBg^arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  the  village* 
vnexpeeted  hy  the  enemy.  Hertr  the  major  made 
9ueh  a  judieious  disposition  of  his  men  thai  the 
•nemy  were  entirely  surrounded,  and  after  a  few 
discharges,  surrendered  themselves  priF'Hierty 
with  the  loss  offtve  kilted.  The .  >sult  of  this  af- 
fhir  was,  the  eapture  of  40  prisoners,  with  their 
arntis,  equipments,  &c.  one  stand  of  colours,  and 
two  batteaux,  without  a  man  of  our  party  beine 
hnrt.  Tliey  got  sate  back  to  camp  at  ti  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  The  prisoners  were  sent  off  to 
Plattsburgh.  Major  Young  has  had  the  honour 
of  taking  the  first  standard  from  the  enemy  in 
the  present  war  ^ 

The  movementfl  of  the  enemy,  during  these 
times*  were  not  to  them  equally  honourable  or 
Important.  > 

llie  village  of  Ogdensburpr^  on  the  St.  Law- 
venne,  was  bombarded  on  tb  2d  Oct.  1812,  for 
S  hours,  from  Prescott,  opposite  ;  between  20  and 
SO  twelve  and  nine  pound  shot  were  pieked  up  in 
the  gardens  and  streets,  but  no  damage  was  donO; 
The  firing  was  brought  on  by  the  attempt  of  a 
party  of  Amerieans  to  take  some  Canadian  boats, 
but  they  did  not  socoeed.  The  garrison  at  Og- 
densburg  consists  of  500  men,  under  General 
Brown,  from  tFefierson  county* 

The  Sunday  following,  the  British  prepared 
40  boats,  with  from  10  to  16  armed  men  in  eaoh| 
and  six  pieces  of  artillery,  with  which  they  ad^ 
▼aneed  to  storm  the  town.     When  arrived  withJ? 
in  a  short  disfanee,  our'  troops  opened  a  wariii 
fire  upon  them,  and  the  contest  continued  about 
two  hours,  when  the  British,  having  two  of  their^^ 
boat^  so  knocked  to  pieces,  as  to  oblige  them  tot 
f»e  abandoned^  and  one  takoD^  on  board  of  whieKf 


I 


m 


HISTORY   Of  TUB   WAB. 


.^^ 


yveve  bix  men  fled  [ireeipiUtely  to  Preseott.    No 
damage  was  sustained  on  our  side. 

From  the  jn^ioious  arrangements  made  bj 
Col.  Benedict,  ^apt.  Forsyth,  Capt.  Griffin,  Ma- 
jor Oimuok,  Adjt.  Uotebkiss,  Captain  Hubbard^ 
Capt.  Benedict,  Capt.  M<Nit,  and  others  of  the 
troops  under  their  oommand,  as  diroeted  by 
Gen.  Brown,  had  the  enemy  attempted  a  landing 
an  immediiite  slaughter  roust  have  ensued^  No 
jpersoD  could  have  been  more  fattentive  than  Gen* 
BroMrn*  through  the  whole  action.  Praise  Is  al- 
so due  to  his  field,  staf|  and  commissioned  of- 
lieers.  vfi* 

By  this  action*  the  British  are  tanght,  that 
40(>  Yankees  will  not  deoline  a  combat,  when  at- 
tacked by  1000  of  their  troops.  Colonels  Leth* 
bridge  and  Breckenridge,  led  the  British  in  per- 
son. .. 

On  the  3d  October,  the  British  brig  RoyaA 
George,  went  into  the  Genessee  river,  and  cut 
"^ut  the  schooner  Liidy  Murray,  and  a  revenue 
cutter..  There  was  no  force  then  there  that 
could  resist  the  enemy.  ^^ 

The  national  pride  had  been  already  highly 
gratified  by  success  on  the  oeeiin  ;  the  publio 
eye  was  anxiously  directed  to  that  element^  is 
expectation  of  further  glory.  The  pttblic-liope 
was  not  to  be  disappoint^.  ^' 

At  day  light  on  the  18th  Oct.  iai2,  about  th# 
lat.  of  .^7  degi  north,  and  Ion.  65  ileg.  west^  Cap^ 
lain  Jacob  Jones^  commanding  the  UnlteA 
States'  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  of  18  guns,  go#: 
sight  of  a  BritiMh  convoy  of  six  large  aroie# 
merchant  ships,  under  protection  of  the  British^ 
llloo|><^war  Frolic  commanded  by  Ci^  Whki-«t 
^ates.  A  signal  was  made  by  the 'FroBe  I 
thQ  fleet  to  disperse.    At  30  minutes  past  eleveii 


M 


9  W 


<,,\g 


•"    m 


%t 


:  Jji 


I^A 


i''-^ 


#•£ 


(» 


¥ 


H^iX6Ey   Of  XBM  V/kfL 


A*  M.  an  engagemont  commenocd  between  tli* 
two  sloops^  al  a  short  (Uttancey  and  continued 
UDtil  tbe  vessels  were  so  close,  Uiat  the  rammers 
of  the  Wasp  wcre^  while  loading.the  last  broad- 
sidcy  shovea  against  the  side  of  the  enemy.  The 
Frolie  was  boarded  on  her  forecastle,  and  im- 
mediately surrendered.  The  manner*  in  which 
this  engagement  was  maintained,  was  biglily 
bonourimle  to  the  Americans.  The  Frolic 
mounted  22  guns  ;  sixteen  of  the  32  pound 
carronades;,  and  four  12  pounders  on  the  main 
deck,  and  two  12  pounders,  carronades,  on  the 
top-gallant  (broeastle,  making  her  superior  in 
force  to  the' Wasp,  by  four  12  pounders.  On 
board  the  Wasp,  there  were  five  killed,  and  five 
wounded.  Tlie  exact  loss  nf  the  enemy  could 
not  be  ascertained,  as  many  of  the  dead  lay  buri- 
ed under  the  masts  and  spars  that  had  fallen  up* 
on  the  deck,  which  two  hours  exertion  had  not 
suiBoiently  removed.  Lieutenant  Biddle,  wJiohad 
aharge  of  the  Frolic,  states,  from  what  he  saWf 
and  by  information  from  the  officers,  the  number 
«f  killed  must  have  been  thirty  f  that  of  the 
wounded,  about  forty  or  fifty. 

The  Wasp  sufil^red  so  much  in  this  action^ 
that  both  masts  fell  on  the  deck  a  few  minutes 
after  separating  from  the  Frolic  ;  every  brace» 
imd  most  of  the  rigging,  had  been  shot  away 
during  the  action. 

In  this  state  she  nearly  remained^  when,  in 
two  hours  after  the  action,  the  Britisii  ship 
PoietierSf  of  74>  guos,  hove  in  sight ;  and,  soon 
after  took  ppssession  of  the  two  sloops,  and  or- 
dered them  for  Bermuda* 

The  captain^of  the  Frolic,  in  his  official  let- 
ter to  Adiiiiral  Warren,  states  that  every  officer 
^iMis  wounded,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  mipn, 


f/,. 


BIlTCmT  OV  THB  WAR. 


m- 


'# 


eitfiet*  ktlled  or  wounded ;  there  not  bein^  twenty 
persons  remaining  unhurt. 

The   following    resolution    of  the    Common  p- 
CouttHl  of  New^Yorky  will  show  the  high  ligplit 
in  which  the^  held  Cnpt.  Jones  and  his  orew. 

,  <<  Meeolvedf  That  an  elegap^  sword  be  presented  to 
CSafitaln  Jonss,  late  ofthetjmted  States'  sloop  of 
jiijlr  Wasp,  and  also  th^  ft|eeie|pm  of  this  cityi  as  a 
testimony,  of  the  high  c^intbn  this  Corporation  en- 
teHaiii  olhis  galldiit  cfbhduct)  in  capturing  the  Brit* 
is^  slodp  of  war  Frolic'  |*and  that  the  thanks  of  the 
HlMnnion  Council  be  presented  to  his  brave  officen^ 

Jftld  crew." 

^Ift  >  ■  • 

V  The  United  States'  frigate  United  States* 
Captain  St&phon  Decatur,  being  on  a  cruise*  fell 
in*  on  the  SMh  Oetobcr,  1812,  with  liisBHtan* 
nlo  Majesty's  frigate  Macedonian,  Captain  J. 
S.  Cat'den,  in  lat.  29,  N.  Ion.  29, 20,  W.  and^  aftpr 
an  aetion  of  an  hour  and  a  half,, (17  minutes  of 
which  was  in  elose  action»)  the  British  frigate 
was  captured.  The  Maccedonian  was  of  the 
Isirgest  elass  of  British  frigutes,  two  years  old* 
but  four  months  out  of  dock,  and  mounting  49 
gpns*  (the  odd  one  shifting.)  This  engagement 
4^ve  another  indisputalile  proof  of  the  superi^ 
fiViiy  of  Amcricao  discipline  and  gunnery. 

I    The  loss  on  both  sides  was  as  follows  : 

On  board  the  United  States  2  seamen,  2  ma-, 
^nes,  1  boy—Total  killed,  5. 
%   Wounded,  1  lieutenant,  1  carpenter,  is  seameni.  - 
:'B.  martne^-^Totai  wounded,  7  ;  of  whom,  Uedt*. 
Funk'^  and  John  Archihak%  died  of  their  wounilt* 
On  board  the  Macedonian,  there  were  S6  kll- 
vied,  and  68  wounded  ;  so  of  whom  severely^ 
'    By  the  muster  roll  Df  the  Macedonian,  it  ii|y- 
,^ared  that  there  were  seven  imprwsed'i^lBiir 


v;t'.!,iv,;i 


•?',•'•  ij 


ij:i^ 


.lis 


■^si 


'4^ 


m 


Ml 


;<!.'-''v*pi» 


At'm 


w^ 


uW^ 


BJtTMlT  OV  THB  WAB. 


ri«ans  on  boardf  duriag  the  aiOtioD»  two  of  wboni 
were  killed. 

The  United  States  and  Macedonian  armed 
off*  Montaug  Pointy  on  the  4th  Deeember  ;  bat 
were  prevented  from  reaehinn;  New-York  befor# 
the  first  day  of  the  n0W  year^  1818. 

On  the  arrival  of  Captain  Hull  at  New-York* 
he  was  presented  h||/lhe  corporation  of  thedty, 
with  the  freedom  ofihe  eity.  In  a  gold  box.  At 
soon  as  Captain  Hull  enleifd  tho  oounejliiiham* 
her,  eondueted  by  AlderiRen  Fish  and  ]iietier» 
and  General  Morton^  he  was  addressed  by  Ut 
honour  De  ^itt  Clinton^  mayor  of*  the  city^  % 
an  appropriato  speech.  Captain  Hully  with  all 
that  iTiOuesiy  flo  fr*H2ueiitly  allied  to  virtuous 
hravery,  madea  shor<9  but  very  becoming  reply. 
The  Captain  then  took  the  freeman's  oath«  and 
vetired,  amidst  an  immense  crowd  who  tilled  the 
•air  with  reiterated  huzzas.  On  tlie  following 
day»  a  splendid  naval  dinner  was  given  by  the 
eorporation  to  Captain  Hull*  Com.  Decatur* 
and  Captain  Jones,  in  testimony  of  the  high 
scn^e  entertained  of  the  merits  of  these  gentlci* 
men.  Nothing  was  omitted  to  render  this  din* 
nor  truly  deseriptive  of  the  occasion^  and  the 
feelings  of  the  citizens. 

On  the  9th  of  January  another  dinner  was  giv* 
en  by  the  eorporation^  to  the  crew  of  the  United 
States.  The  seamen  and  marinesi  having  form- 
ed  in  procession ,  proceeded  from  the  place  ftf 
landing  to  the  City  Hotels  amidst  the  plaudits  of, 
thousands  of  eitizcns.  On  the  arrival  'Of  llie 
sailorsrand  they  being  seated, they  were  address* 
ed  by  Mr.  Vnnderbtlty  with  his  usual  energy  and. 
perspicuity*  The  boatswain  made  a  short  re^i 
expressive  of  the  gratitude  of  his  shipmates^  and 
ikeir  wish  ibr  a  further  opportnmty  to  prave  the% 


I 


tollT^BT  99  TOm  WAl. 


66 


» 

devolednesB  to  their  ooantry.  At  6  o^cloek^  the 
procession  was  re-formed,  when  ihey  proeeeded 
to  the  Theatre*  at  the  express  wish  and  invita- 
tion of  the  managers,  who  reserved  the  pit  ex- 
elusively  for  their  accommodation.  The  harmo- 
ny of  the  day  was  not  interrupted  hy  a  single  Ir- 
regularity. 

The  enemy  had  some' consolation,  (^if  consola- 
tion it  can  be  called,)  by  the  capture,  in  Novem- 
ber, of  the  United  States' brig  of  war  Ylxen^  of 
14  guns,  by  his  majesty's  frigate  Sou^biOl^ony 
of  St  guns.  -} 

Both  vessels  were  wrecked  shortly  afteri^ardjf^ 
on  the  desert  Island  of  Conception ;  ^t  whr^h 
time  most  of  the  erew  of  the  Southampton^  throw- 
ing off  the  c^ntroul  of  their  oflieers,  refused  to* 
do  duty. 

On  this  occasion,  tli»  intrepid  exertions  of  our - 
tars,  aided  by  (heir  officers,  were  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  saving  the  maveable  property  on  bourd 
the  frigate.  So  sensible  was  Sir  James  Yeo  of 
the  generous  oonduet  of  the  American  sailor^ 
that  be  drew  them  up  on  the  island,  andfpublicly 
thanked  them  in  the  warmest  terms. 

Although  a  patriotie  support  of  ^he  war  was 
the  distinguished  feature  of  tlie   p*jUlie  senti- 
ment, yet  there  was  a  strange  apat'b^  too  preva- 
lent, which  tended  not  a  little  to  render  its  early 
stage  unprojMitious  to  the  coui^iry*     Somethings 
was  necessary  to  awaken  the  unrou sod  loyalty 
of  the  people^    Yietory  might  have  that  effeot ; 
perhaps  defoat  was  a  more  powerful  agent.    The 
defeat  and  surrender  of  Gen.  Hull,  so  much  dis- 
appointed the  expectations  excited  hy  the  gene- 
fm*n  prochAmatioa,  that  it  is  inrpossible  to  deinet'i 
the  first  effeet^    The  mortiflcation  of  disap|H>inl-^ 
peot^.  added  tr  the  serious  loss  of  a  fine  army^* 


n 


Km 


«r 


■»TOKT  or'VBK  WAS. 


i,«'"'^: 


threw  a  temporary  gloom  over  tlie  citizefis.--^ 
7'his  soon  gave  way  to  resentment,  and  a  deter- 
mination to  ^()e  ofiTthe  <<  foul  stain.^  The  spirit 
of  the  nation  rose,  and  that  of '  76  seemed  to  re- 
turn. Tfalb  sentiment,  whieh  pervaded  a  great 
proportion  of  4he  nation,  was  most  powerfnl  in 
the  western  country.  All  felt  the  necessity  of 
immediate  action  ;  Kentucky  and  Ohio  may  he 
said  to  have  broken  loose  ;  an  army  was  ready » 
as  i^  by:  magic,  prepared  to  avenge  the  i ate  dis- 
giHii|^  A  leader  was  wanting — all  eyes  looked, 
w  ith  a  common  impulse,  towards  the  hero  Of 
Tippecanoe  ;  the  united  voice  of  the  people  call- 
ed on  the  governor  to  dispense  with  all  formali- 
ties ;  and  William  Henry  Harrison  was  ap- 
pointed a  major-generfil,  with  directions  to  take 
command  of  the  north  western  army.  This  ap^ 
pointment  was  confirmed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States. 

The  exposed  situation  of  the  north  western 
frontier,  after  the  surrender  of  Hull,  requh^d 
the  utmost  exertions  for  its  protection.  It  ^iiras 
not  possible  entirely  to  avert  the  impending  dan- 
ger. 

The  Indians  had  already  commenced  their  sa- 
T|^  warfare^  by  an  attack  on  Fort  Dearboniy 
and  the  massacre  of  its  garrison.  Fort  Dearborn 
(Chicago)  was  but  a  weak  garrison,  consisting  of 
about  50  men,  there  were  also  in  it  a  few  wb- 
Hien  and  children.  A  large  hody  of  Indlfttit  hn- 
ving  menaced  the  fort,  it  was  agreed  in  a  coun- 
eil,  which  was  held  with  the  fhithless  tribes,  that 
the  garnson  should  be  spared  on  condition  of 
su rrende ring  the  place  w ith out  resi stance.  'Irhisy 
marohed  out  on  the  15th  Sept.  and  whena^at 
a  mile  from  the  fort,  were  fired  upon,  ami  fniH»- 
dcred,  with  the  exception  of  abot^ten  or  tW«ll>«^ 
who  escaped. 


niBTORT   01  TH&  \VAIK. 


-« 


67 


.  Fort  Belvi«w  (Madison)  on  the  Mississippi^ 
was  attaekiid  on  the  '^th  Septemhcr,  by  the  In- 
dians,  wHii!  ail  the  d^^speration  that  a  vant  of 
real  eonrage  could  ins^nre ;  the  attack  was  re- 
newed daiiy  until  the  Sth^  when  the  Indians*  af« 
ter  suflTei'ing  very  severelyt  withdrew,  leaving  the 
brave  garrison  safe.  One  sitidier,  who  was  out 
of  the  fort  when  the  attack  i^omr>^encod»  was 
ina»saored  :  no  lives  were  lost  in  the  fort ;  and 
only  one  man  wounded. 

About  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  4t[ii 
September^  Fort  Harrison,  in  the  Indiana  Terri- 
tory, was  attacked  by  a  vast  number  of  Indians. 
The  garrison  was  weak,  and  the  most  ofthemy 
including  its  intrepid  commaiidery  Capt.  Z.  Tay- 
lor, either  siek  or  convalescent.  The  attack 
was  eontinued,  in  a  most  furious  manner,  until 
about  sun-rise  the  following  morning,  when  tlie 
savages  retired,  driving  away  or  shooting  all  the 
cattle  they  could  find. 

^v  Several  expedithms  were  formed  against  the 
Indians,  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  keeping  opofi  the  necessary  communications. 
Colonel  Russell,  with  a  small  detachment  of  th& 
Unked  States'  ranges^s,  proceeded  to  the  hea^ 
of  the  Peori  Lake,  wheve  he  destroyed  the  cele- 
brated Pi  mer  tain 'a  town.  Gen.  Hopkins,  with 
about  1200  troops,  left  Fort  Harrison  on  the  lith 
December,  and  succeeded  in  destroying  several 
Yilli^ges  along  the  Wabash  ;  a  party  of  62  that 
left  the  eamp,  in  search  of  a  m^^n  who^was  mis- 
sing, fell  in  with  a  large  force  of  horse  and  foot 
£fi4ians :  this  party  suffered  a  defeat,  with  a  loss 
of  10,  making  with  the  missing  mari,  17.  Gen. 
Tnppfi^iiefostted  a  nnmerons  b^y  of  British  and 
ludianSf  near  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami :  the  dif- 
ftedty  gf  €n»siln|;  the  viy^f  and  want  otjftwU 


m 


mm 


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■.(•Il 


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■m 


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m 


;«. 


«    HI»TOBY  Of  THE  WAS. 


sionsf  obliged  the  expedition  to  return^  having 
lost  4  killed;  and  one  being  wounded.  Colonel 
CatnpbelU  with  600  meny  attacked  one  of  the 
MasMssinewa  towns,  on  the  17th  and  ISth  Dee. 
and  defeated  the  Indians,  after  a  most  desperate 
conflict :  the  American  loss  was  8  killed,  and  23 
wounded  ;  the  Indian  town  was  burned.  Colonel 
John  B.  Campbell,  on  the  17th  Nov.  attacked 
the  savages  at  a  town  on  the  Massissinewa, 
which  he  burned,  as  well  as  three  other  towns 
further  down  the  river,  killing  several,  and  tak- 
ing 37  prisoners :  on  the  morning  of  the  11th 
Bee.  his  camp  was  attacked  by  about  300  In- 
dians, who  were  defeated,  after  an  engagement 
of  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  The  loss  of 
the  Americans  in  these  affairs,  was  9  killed,  and 
about  SB  or  40  wounded  ;  about  40  of  the  In- 
dians were  killed.  The  Indians  also  suffered  a 
defeat  from  Col.  Williams,  commanding  the 
Tennessee  troops. 

These  actions  were  well  ealculated  to  inspire 
the  Indians  with  a  proper  respect  for  the  Ame- 
ricans ;  and,  if  followed  up  with  continued  sue- 
cess,  would  tend  to  estrange  the  savage  enemy 
from  his  British  ally ;  but  a  sad  1*everte  soon  oo^ 
eurred. 

A  detachment,  under  the  command  of  General 
'Winchester,  being  attacked  on  the  22d  Jan.  lSiS» 
at  Frenehtown,  on  tUe  river  Raisin,  by  a  greatly 
superior  force  of  Indians  and  British,  aided  by 
several  pieces  of  artillery,  suffered  a  defeat.  The 
Americans  lost  no  honour  on  this  oceasion  ;  they 
defended  themselves,  and  fought  with  despera- 
tion, even  beyond  the  time  wheft  prudence  and 
honour  would  have  sanctioned  a  surrenden*  Gen. 
Winchester,  being  himself  a  prisoner,  agreed  to 
a  anrrender  of  the  troops  undef  his  comwan^  ofk^ 


t 


H18T6VT  OF  THK  WAB. 


69 


condition  that  they  should  lie  protected  ngaintt 
the  savages,  and  allowed  to  retsiin  their  private 
property  and  sade^arms.  Thirty-five  oiiieers,  and 
490  non-eommisaioned- officers*  and  privates  wer« 
made  prisoners  I  the  nuuBiber  of  killed  was  coa^ 
siderable.  -     * 

The  prisoners  ^ho  were  in  health  were  march- 
ed to  Maiden  ;  the  wounded  were^  contrary  to  the 
terms  of  capitulation,  left  at  the  mercy  of  the 
Indians.  On  the  movnliig  of  the  SSd,  such  of 
(he  wbunded  as  were  unable  to  travel^  were  to*^ 
mahawkediand  scalped. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  report  of  a  eom^ 
miitee  of  Congress,  on  this  subject :  ^ 


■'*■*- 


<<  The  massacre  of  the  33d  Januayy,  after  the  tvcph^ 
ttitation,  was  perpetrated  without  any  exertion  on 
their  part  to  prevent  it ;  indeed,  it  is  apparent,  from 
all  the  circumstances,  that  if  the  British  officers  4id 
not  connive  at  their  destruction,  they  were  crimitmll^ 
indifferent >ibout  the  fate  of  the  wounded  priarners. 
But  'what  marks  more  strongly  the  degradation  of 
the  characrer  of  the  British  soldiers,  is  the  refusal  of 
the  last  offices  of  humanity  to  the  bodies  of  tlie  deaif. 
The-  bodies  of  our  counti*ymen  were  exposed  to  every 
indignity,  and  became  food  for  bmtes,  in  the  sight  of 
men  who  affect  a  sacred  regard  to  the  dictates  of 
honour  and  religion .-r-Low  indeed  is  the  character 
of  that  army,  which  is  reduced  to  the  confessiottf 
thut  their  savage  auxiliaries  will  not  permit  them  to 
perform  the  rites  of  sepulture  to  the  slain.  The 
committee  have  not  beeh  able  to  discovei^  even  the 
expression  of  detestation,  which  such  conduct  mu&% 
inspire,  from  the  military  or  civil  authority  on  the 
^Canadian  flintier,  unless  such  dbtestation  is  to  be 
^[^sumed  from  the  choice  of  an  Indian  trophy,  as  an 
ornament  for  the  Legislative  liall  of  Upper  Canada.*' 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  who  survived  the 
bnttle  of  Frenchtown,  held  ^at  Eiicf,  (Pft.)  the 


■I  ^'4^h' 
■I 


'a  ;'v.V'.  ?;ii' 

■*  111' 


KS'^; 


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f  nil 

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70 


^mt%T^Xt  OV  THE  WAS. 


80th  Feb.  ISIS^  the  following  statement  and  re- 
solutions were'tii^reed  to. 

"Whereas  it  is  deemed  necessarf,  that  our  fellow-r 
citizens  should  be  informed  of  the  late  perfidious 
and  brutal  acts  of  the  British  goveroiment)  performed 
by  their  officers  at  the  battle  of  Frenchtown. 

Retchedy  That  the  following  statement  of  the 
Conduct  of  the  British  officers,  be  published  lo  c  ir 
•ountrfmen: 

That  when  General  Winchester  was  taken  pi  i« 
soner»  On  the  2 2d  January^  fi  13,  and  brought  before 
Colonel  Proctor,  the  British  commander,  he  directed 
Ihe  commanding  Officer  of  the  Americans  (Major 
Madison)  to  surrender.  Major  Madison  refused  so 
10  do,  unless  those  who  surrendered  should  be  free 
from  savage  masaacj^f  ^  this  was  agreed  to;,  aod  the 
British  officers  pledged  themselves  to  have  a  suffi- 
cient force  with  the  wounded,  to  protect  them,  and 
that  they  should  be  conveyed  to  Maiden  the  next 
morning.  They  likewise  promised  to  return  to  the 
officers  their  arms. 

Capt.  N.  G.  F.  Hart,  inspector  to  the  north-west- 
ern army,  beins  among  the  wounded,  it  was  pro- 
posed by  his  friends,  that  they  should  carry  him 
with  them—this  they  were  prevented  from  doing»  by 
Capt.  Elliot,  a  British  officet*,  and  an  old  acquaintance 
of  Captain  Hart's,  who  promised  Capt.  H.  his  special 
protection— to  convey  him  in  his  own  sleigh  to  Mai- 
den that  evening,  and  Informing  him  that  he  should 
be  welcome  to  remain  at  his  house  there,  until  ho 
•hould  jvcover.  ^^  ^^ 

These  were  the  promhea  of  the  British-^Le^  16ftt 
countrymen  and  the  world  see  how  they  were  fulfilled. 

At  the  break  of  day  next  morning,  the  sairages 
were  suffered  to  commit  eveiy  defiredation  upon  ouf^ 
wound fdf  which  they  pleatied.  An  indiscriminatt 
tlctughter  took  filace  qfall  who  were  unable  Ko  wi^lk-^ 
many  were  tomahawked^  and  many  were  burned  alive 
'in  the  houaet.  Among  the  unfortunate  t^^s  mur-* 
dercd*  it  18  with  regret  and  sorrow  we  huTC  to  naii|e 
Captains  Hart  and  Hickniatii 


HI&TOBT  OV   THE  WAl|. 


n 


The  arms  of  the  ofiicero,  as  promised,  were  nerer 
returned.  Every  species  of  private  properly  re- 
maining in  the  tentS)  )>elonging  to  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  were  plundered  by  the  savages. 

Reaalvedy  That  in  consideration  of  the  high  re* 
spect  we  hold  to  the  memories  %f  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  who  irere  thus  cruelly  muruered,  by  per- 
missioikof  the  British  commander  Proctor,  and  his 
subalterns,  and  those  who  gloriously  fell  in  the  Jleld^ 
defending  the  only  free  gorv^mment  on  earthy  that 
each  of  us  wear  black  crape  on  our  hats,  and  left 
arm,  for  the  space  of  ninety  days, 

Reaolvedf  That  a  similar  procedure,  testifying 
their  respect  for  those  who  were  murdered  and  fell 
on  that  day*  be  recommended  to  our  brother  office]^ 
andsoldiers,  who  survived  it.    ■  ^.    . . 

SAMUEL  W  ILLlfAMS,  President. 

^OHN  Bbcklst,  Secretary." 

^  The  little  progress  hitherto  made  by  landy 
against  the  enemyt  had  determined  the  eongress 
and  the  general  government  on  adopting  a  more 
efficient  plan  of  warfare.  Several*  new  appoint- 
ments of  offioers  were  made;  and  Commodore 
Ctiauneey  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
Wee  navy. 

Tike  Comraodoi*e  arrived  at  Saeket's  harbour 
ir  October,  1812.  His  great  exertions  enabled 
Mm  to  prepare  a  fleet  in  less  than  a  montli,  with 
which  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune  on  the  lake» 
although  the  British  fleet  was  saperior  in  number 
•f  vessels^  guns,  and  men. 

The  Commodore  sailed  from  Sachet's  harbour 
||i»n  Lake  Ontario.  On  the  8th  Nov.  fell  in  with 
and  ehased  ^.he  Royiftl  Geofge,  until  he  lost  sight 
of  her  in  the  night :  ^m  the  following  day  renew- 
ed the  ehase,  and  followed  her  into  Kingston  ^iar« 
boar#  where  he  engaged  her^d  the  batteries,  for 


>h.' 


'irii 


H  Si 


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ri 


aUlWRT  ox  TB£  WAB. 


?v>Mi\ 


mi 


nearly  two  liours— >at  sun  down  he  hauled  offV 
being  ohUged»  by  badness  of  the  weather^  to  re- 
turn to  Sacket's  Harbour. 
'  The  Constitution  frigate,  having  undergone 
every  neeessary  repair,  proceeded  fk'om  Boston 
on  a  second  cruise  in  October.  On  the  29th 
i)eeember»  1812^  in  south  lat.  13. 6.  and  west  Ion. 
38.  ten  leaguof  distant  from  the  eoast  of  tiirazilsf 
fell  in  with»  and  captured  his  Britannio  Majesty's 
frigate  Java,  af<«r  an  action  of  one  hour  and  55 
minutes.  Ttie  Java  earried  4iJi  guns  and  upwards 
^nf  ^00  men,  and  was  commanded  by  Captain  H. 
Lambert,  a  brave  and  gallant  officer*  The  Java 
was  so  perfect  a  wreek,that  it  seemed  extremely 
doubtful  whetheu  she  could  be  brought  to  the 
United  States  ;  she  was  therefore  burned  in  two 
days  after  being  captured. 

The  Java  had  been  lately  out  of  dock,  having 
undergone  a  thorough  repair  in  order  to  carry 
out  Lieut.  Gen.  Hisfop  who  was  going  as  com- 
mander in  chief  to  Bombay.  Besides  her  full 
complement  of  men,  the  Java  had  upwards  of 
100  supernumeraries,  going  to  British  ships  of 
war  in  the  East- Indies ;  also  several  officers,  pas- 
sengers, going  out  on  promotion.  The  nnmbei* 
of  men  was  considerably  more  than  timt  of  the 
Constitution.  By  her  quarter  bill,  she  had  one 
inan  more  stationed  at  eaeh  gnn  than  the  Onttitu- 
tion  had.  The  loss  on  board  the  Constitution  was 
nine  killed  and  25  woundetl.  Tile  enemy  had  ^'0 
Itilled,  and  101  wounded  ;  but  by  a  iHter  written 
an  board  the  .Constitution,  by  one  of  the  officers 
of  the  Java,  and  accidentally  A>und,  it  was  evi- 
dent that  the  enemy's  wounded  must  have  been 
considerably  greater  ;  the  letter  states  60  killed, 
And  170  wounded.  This  additional  nnmbei^  of 
wounded  men  hav^^fprobably  died  befbre  they 


Ni 


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ne 
en 
th 


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HISTOEY  OF  TI<B  WAV* 


zr 


•ould  beremovccl.  Among  the  wounded  on  board 
the  Constitution,  was  Captain  Bainbridge,  ihe. 
commander :  Captain  Lambert  of  the  Java,  waa 
.wounded  mortally. 

General  Hislop  was  immediately  paroled  with 
the  officers  of  bis  staff;  and,  at  the  request  of 
General  Hislop,  in  a  letter,  dated  St.  Salvador, 
Jan.  8, 1813,  all  the  ogSoers  of  the  Java  were  ia 
like  manner  paroled — Commodore  Bainbridge  re- 
.stored  all  the  private  property  of  Gen.  Hislop, 
including  articles  of  plate  to  a  large  amount. 

The  corporation  of  the  city  of  New- York  pre- 
isented  Commodore  Bainbridge,  with  the  freedom 
of  the  city,  on  the-Sth  December,  1813*  « ' 

The  following  resolution  was  passed  by  the 
Senate  of  Massachusetts,  the  19th  February  : 

«  jReaoPuedy  That  the  thanks  of  this  Senate  be  g!v« 
^n  to  Commodore  William  Bainbridge,  and  the  offi- 
cers and  crew  of  the  frigate  Constitution,  under  his 
command,  for  their  brilliant  achievement  in  capturing 
and  destroying  his  Britannic  Majesty's  frigate  Java  ; 
and  that  the  commodore  be  requested  to  communi- 
cate the  same  to  his  officers  and  crew  with  an  assure 
ance  from  this  branch  of  the  legislature,  that  they 
will  hold  in  grateful  remembrance,  those  who  fell  in 
fighting  for  the  essential  and  violated  rights  of  their 
country." 

Although  it  is  a  fact  established,  beyond  ih0 
power  of  eontradictioH,  that  every  possible  indul- 
jgence  and  attention  was  exercised  toward  the 
crew  of  the  Java,  yet  were  some  of  her  officers 
so  ungrateful  as  to  charge  the  Americans  with 
having  ill-used  the  vamquislied  in  a  variety  of 
wa^s.  In  reply  to  a  publication  in  the  British 
iNaval  Chronicle,  for  May,  1814,  by  Thomas  Cook 
.Jones,  surgeon  of  the  Java,  and  another  publica- 
tion in  the  same  paper,  for  Juoe^  by  one  oflb0 


Mr." 


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HrsfOBY  OB  TUB  WAll. 


I'-  *i 


:-^ 


.'.'-1 


f^^"* 


l: 


lieutenanls  of  the  Java^  oharging  llie  Americans 
ivith  cruelty^  &o.  Mr.  Amos  A.  Evans,  surgeon 
of  the  frigate  Constitutiony  published  in  the  Bos- 
ton Chronicle,  a  complete  refutation  of  the  British 
slander,  concluding  with  the  following  words  : 

<<  I  challenge  the  British  to  produce  a  aolitary  in» 
etancci  where  they  have  given  a  faithful  and  candid 
relation  of  the  result  of  their  actions  with  us  since  the 
declaration  of  the  present  war.  They  have^  of  late, 
established  for  themselves  a  kind  of  national  charac* 
ter,  that,  1  trust,  none  will  envy  them  the  possession 
of ;  they  have  proved,  that  although  they  may  not 
always  be  able  to  conquer  in  battle,  they  can  preva*» 
ricate,  defame  or  mistake,  with  as  much  ease  as  any 
nation  on  earth." 

Commodore  Bodgers  sailed  from  Boston  on  the 
8th  Oct.  1812^  on  bis  second  cruise^  having  un- 
der his  command  the  frigate  President,  the  Unit- 
ed States,  Captain  Decatur  ;  Congress,  Captain 
Smith  ;  and  brig  Argus^  Captain  Sinclair.  The 
President  and  Congress  arrived  at  Boston  in  De- 
cember. During  their  cruise-,  they  captured  the 
British  packet  Swallow,  with  168,000  dollars  on 
board,  and  British  ship  Argo,  laden  with  oil 
and  whalebone,  both  of  which  arrived  some  time 
before.  They  saw  no  enemy's  cruisers  but  the 
Nymphe  and  Galatea,  which  they  chased,  but 
lost  sight  of  in  the  night.  The  squadron  have 
been  as  far  east  as  long.  %2,  and  to  the  south  as 
far  as  lat.  17  N.  From  the  1st  to  the  30th  ]^ov. 
they  never  saw  a  sail.  On  the  22d  Oetober^  ly- 
ing to  In  a  gale,  the  President  sprung  her  main- 
mast badly,  and  on  the  21st  Deo.  while  lying  to 
in  the  Gulph  Stream,  shipped  a  heavy  sea,  whieh 
swept  the  starboard  gangway,  started  the  boatSf 
killed  2  men  and  wounded  7.  The  President 
brought  in  bp  prisoners. 


m 


\ 


HIITORT  bi  THE  Wl1b' 


n 


The  specie  was  landed  from  the  President,  at 
the  navy.yard  in  Charlestown,  and  being  placed 
in  six  waggons,  each  carrying  the  national  co- 
lours, was  thus  carried  to  the  state  bank  in  Bos- 
ton, where  it  was  safely  deposited,  amidst  the 
buzzas  of  thousands  of  spectators. 

The  Commodore  parted  company  with  the 
United  States  and  Argus  the  12th  October. 

The  U.  S.  brig  Viper,  Captain  Henley,  of  12 
guns,  was  captured  on  the  17th  January,  1813, 
in  lat.  29,  N.  83,  30,  W.  by  his  Britannic  majes- 
ty's frigate  Narcissus,  of  32  guns,  after  a  chase 
of  five  hours.— No  fighting. 

Commodore  Bainbridge  left  the  U.  S.  sloop 
of  war  Hornet,  Captain  James  Lawrenee,  off*  the 
harbour  of  8t.  Salvador,  where  she  remained 
from  the  6th,  until  the  24th  January,  blockade 
ing  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  and  another  armed 
vessel.  Being  at  length  driven  from  her  sta** 
tion  by  the  Montague,  of  74  guns,  which  was 
sent  to  relieve  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  Captain 
Lawrence  proceeded  off*  Demarara  river,  where* 
on  the  24th  February,  1813,  he  fell  in  with  and 
engaged  his  Britannic  majesty's  brig  of  war 
Peacock :  the  action  lasted  but  15  minutes,  in 
which  short  space  of  time,  the  Peacock  was 
literally  cut  to  pieces ;  an  ensign,  union  down^ 
was  hung  from  the  fore-rigging,  as  a  signal  at 
once  of  distress  and  surrender,  Lieut.  Shubrick 
who  was  sent  on  board  her,  returned  with  a  re- 
port that  she  was  fast  sinking,  having  then  six 
feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  The  boats  of  the 
Hornet  were  immediately  despatched,  and  every 
possible  exertion  made  to  keep  her  afloat  until 
the  prisoners  could  be  removed,  by  pumping  an4 
bailing,  without  efibct,  as  she  sunk  in  five  and  a 
half  fathoms  water^  carrying  down  nine  of  her 


♦'.' 


■^^^ 


5^ 


lOSTOttY  09  Tfirs  WAB; 


,* 


'»W5'"I^ 


I'  ^'M 


If 


;w 


drew.  And  three  of  the  erew  of  the  Hornet^  yiz. 
^hn  Hurt,  Joseph  'Williamsy  and  llannihal 
Boyd.  Several  of  tho  Hornet's  cre^r  narrowly 
escaped  a  similar  fnte,  being  saved  by  jumping 
into  a  bout  that  was  lying  on  the  booms^  as  she 
Avent  down. 

I'lie  Peacock  was  one  of  the  finest  vessels  of 
her  class  in  the  British  navy  ;  she  mounted  16 
twenty^four  pound  carronades^  two  long  ninesjt 
one  twelve  pound  earrunide  on  her  top-gallant 
forecafetle,  as  a  shifting  gun^  and  one  four  or  six 
flounder,  and  two  swivels  mounted  aft ;  her  crew 
eonsisted,  at  the  time  of  the  action,  of  one  hun* 
dred  and  thirty  men. 

The  loss  on  board  the  Peacock  could  not  be 
ascertained  by  Capt.  Lawrence,  but  must  have 
been  considerable.  Capt.  Peake,  her  command- 
er, and  four  men*  were  found  dead  on  board> 
and  33  wounded,  most  of  them  severely,  three 
of  which  died  of  their  wounds,  after  being  re- 
Bioved.  The  total  of  killed,  wounded  and  drown- 
ed, was  certainly  42,  and  probably  more. 

The  Espeigle,  a  British  brig,  mounting  10 
ihirty- two  pound  carronades,  and  two  long  nine's 
lay  about  six  miles  on  shore,  and  within  sight  of 
the  action  :  she  declined  coming  in  aid  of  her 
consort,  or  to  approach  the  victorious  ship  al- 
though Capt.  Lawrence  cleared  his  sliip,  in  ex- 
pectation of  a  second  engagement. 

Captain  Lawrence  stated,  that  there  were 
two  impressed  American  seamen  on  board  the 
late  British  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  one  a  native 
of  the  state  of  New- York,  and  the  other  a  na- 
tive of  Norfolk.  One  of  them  was  prcesed  two 
years  and  a  half,  and  the  other  about  18  months 
previous,  neither  of  them  entered,  and  both  were 
€om pelted  to  fight  during  the  engagement  with 
the  Hornet. 


aiSTOET  0¥  THE   WAB» 


TT 


'^  'Before  the  engagement  commenoedy  the  above 
,  mentioned  Ameriean  seamen  left  their  station* 
Y  ^ont  to  the  Captain  of  the  Peacock,  and  asked 
his  permission  to  go  below,  with  the  erew  of  the 
brig  Hunter,  of  Portland,  as  they  could  not  fight 
against  their  country.  This  request  was  per- 
emptorily refused  by  Capt.  Peakc,  and  the  two 
Americans  were  forced  to  their  station^  and  corn* 
pelled  to  fight. 

Captain  Lawrence  further  stated,  that  another 
impressed  American  was  reported  to  have  been 
on  board  the  Peacock,  and  that  he  wa»  killed 
-during  the  action. 

The  reader  should  not  be  carried  away  with 
the  belief,  that  the  commander  of  the  Espeiglo 
was  a  coward.  That  may  possibly  have  bee» 
^^iho  ease,  btit  it  is  far  from  being  probable— 
Those  who  wish  to  allo^w  t6  Amerieao  naval  he- 
roes their  well  earned  honours,  will  be  readier  t» 
ascribe  the  modesty  of  the  Englishmen  to  the 
effect  of  American  prowess,  thanr  ta  British 
cowardice.  Prudence  is  a  virtue  wliieh  often 
requires  courage  to  exercise.  Had  the  com'- 
mander  of  the  £speigle  encojuntered  the  victo- 
rious Ameriean  he  would  be  defeated.  He  pro* 
l»ably  believed  so  ;  and,  believing  it^  he  acted 
with  prudence. 

The  fallowing  comment  on  the  capture  of  the 
Peacock,  is  extracted  from  the  London  Globe. 

«  The  late  captain  of  the  Swallow  packet^  captu-red 
bjir  the  Americans,  landed  on  Monday  at  Falmouth^ 
from  on  board  the  Childers  sloop  of  war;  He  eoo- 
jirms  the  loss  of  the  Peacock,  which  struck  to  th& 
Hornet,  after  a  severe  and  sanguinary  conflict,  and 
went  down  while  the^  enemy  were  taking  ont  her 
crew.  Sixteen  English  and  four  Americans  went: 
dowa  in  her*    The  force  of  the  two  ye»SQlii  was 


1  V  o,)f 


.J^df^O 


^^^■^'■p- 


^n 


nuTQUj  mf  Tni  wax*,  i 


ir-f    '1. 


'^ 


ntady^  equal.     The  circumstances,  tbereforey  ;f  <>!h 
.have  enabled  America  thus  to  add  another  lau re   l€ 
her  brow,  it  is  most  important  to  know,  and  wc  trust 
they  will  be  fully  inquired  into.     In  the  cases  of 
capture  by  large  American  frigates,  the  mercenary 
writers  for  the  Admiralty  have  assured  their  read- 
ers thatfthey  have,  by  some  charm,  been  able  to  prac- 
tice a  dece/iHo  viaut  upon  our  navy  ;  that  although 
apparently  frigates,  they  are  in  fact  great  ships  of 
the  line  ;  but  as  no  disparity  of  size  is  supposed  to 
have  existed  in  this  disaster,  Mr.  Crocker's  scribes 
Avill  probably  give  out,  that  the  crew  of  the  Hornet 
^vere  not  of  the  ordinary  race  of  sailors,  but  that  ev- 
ery one  was  a  Hercules  in  strength,  and  an  Archi- 
medes in  science." 
The  following  appeared  In  a  Halifax  paper : 
<*  In  our  extracts  from  American  papers,  our  read- 
ers will  find  an  account  of  the  capture  of  the  Pea- 
cock.    The  good  fortune  of  the  Americans  has  not 
forsaken  them  ;  on  the  contrary^  it  is  more  conspi- 
cuous in  this  than  their  previous  actions*     £very  , 
•nr  conv(r»dnt  with  gunnery  mutt  know^  that  had  a 
ve99el  been  moobed  J^or  the  sole  fiurfioae  (if  making 
an  EXFERiMKNT,  it  ia  not  at  ail  likely  she  would  have 
heen  SVJXK  in  so  thort  a  time» 

Previous  to    the  action    with  the  PeacoQk^ 
'Capt.  Lawrence '  captured^  on  the  4th  Feb.  the 
English  brig  fiesolutiony  of  iO  euns,  from  Rio^] 
Janerio,  bound  to  Maranham,  which  he  biirned,  ^ 
after  taking  from  her  about  SS^OOOL  sterling,  iii<  ^ 
specie.    On  mustering  the  morning  after  the  ^'' 
action,  there  trere  found  on  board  the  Hornet' 
Z77  souls,  including  the  crew  of  the   Americatt 
brig  Hunter,  of  Portland,  taken  a  fe^  days  be- 
fore by  the  Peacock.    This  additional  proof  of 
the   superiority    of  American  tactics   has    not 
been  exceeded  by  any  former  instance*    It  mayi 
iDiked  be  saki  to  have  decidod  the  relative  mes^ 


i( 


BIfTOmT  n  THB  Willi 


79 


its  of  Aroeriean  aVid  BfitUh  seamoii)  the  Yufe- 
riorit^^  claimed  by  the  British  is  nci  longer  main- 
tainable-—the  Americans  rank  deeidedl^  as  first 
in  naval  tactics. 

Capt.  Lawrenoe>  while  off  St.  Salvador,  sent 
a  challenge  to  Capt.  Greeney  of  the  Bonne  Cito- 
jenne,  which  the  latter  prudently  declined  ac« 
•epting. 

The  following  resolutions  passed  the  Common 
Council  of  the  City  of  New- Yoik,  on  the  29th 
Marohy  1813. 

«  Resolved,  That  the  freedom  of  the  'city  be  pre- 
sented to  Captain  Lawrence,  together  with  a  piece 
of  plate  with  appropriate  devices  and  inscriptions^ 
and  that  his  honour  the  Becorder  be  requested  to 
forward  the  same,  with  a  copy  of  this  resolution. 

**Re80lvedy  That  in  testimony  of  the  high  sense 
which  this  Common  Council  entertain  of  the  con<* 
duct  of  the  crew  of  the  United  States'  sloop  of  war 
Hornet,  by  the  capture  of  his  Britannic  lidajesty's 
sloop  of  war  Peacock,  in  the  unexampled  short  pe« 
riod  of  fifteen  minutes,  that  tlie  Common  Council 
will  give  a  public  dinner  to  the  crew  of  the  United 
States*  sloop  of  war  Hornet." 

Tliese  many  and  splendid  naval  victories  de« 
served  not  only  the  applause^  b  t  the  gratitude 
&f  the  nation.  Congress  was  nat  insensible  to 
this.  J^  law  passed  that  body  in  Marehy  t813» 
appropriating  the  sum  of  $^5,000,  to  be  distri- 
buted among  the  oflioers  and  crew  of  the  Con- 
stitution*  for  the  destruction  of  the  Guerriere; 
and  a  like  sum  of  S^d^OOO,  for  the  destruction  of 
the  Java  ;  and  the  sum  of  S2d,000,  to  be  distrK 
tiuted  among  the  officers  and  erew  of  iiie  Waspr^ 
for  the  capture  of  the  Frolic.  ^ 

The  United  States'  frigate  Chesapeake^  Capt*. 
Evaos^  arrived  at  fiostoa  the  10th  April,  18|3,. 


m' 


"    m 


Jl.' .■■"■""■ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAV. 


f 


.ifi'-i  f'-i 


from  a  cruise  of  115  da^rs^  bavin^  sailed  from 
I  the  same  port  tlie  17th  Dcijember,  1812. 

From  Jloston  the  Chesapeake  rat^  down  by 
the  Madeiras*  Canaries^  and  Cape  de  Yerds.; 
Ihenee  down  on  the  equator,  betv'ccn  long.  16 
and  2Bf  where  she  cruised  six  weeks ;  thence 
down  the  coast  of  South  America,  passing  with- 
in 15  leagues  of  Surrinam,  (was  in  the  same 
place  the  Hornet  sunk  the  Peacock  the  day  af- 
ter she  lefty)  down  by  Barbadoes,  Antigua^  and 
most  of  the  windward  West-India  islands;  thence 
on  the  United  States^  between  Bermuda  and  the 
Capes  of  Virginia,  by  the  Capes  of  the  Delaware, 
within  12  leagues,  hy  New- York,  within  20 
leagues,  theoce  through  the  east  ahannel  to 
Boston. 

^  The  Chesapeake  captured,  during  her  cruise, 
S  British,  and  one  American  vessel,  sailing  under 
a  British  Hceoee;  and  re-captured  an  Ameri>- 
ean  schooner.  The  Chesapeake  was  chased  by 
two  ships  of  war,  (a  74  and  a  frigate)  off  the 
Western  Islands.  Off  the  Capes  of  Yirginia, 
gave  chase  to  a  sloop  of  war,  and  continued 
chasing  for  2  days,  when  the  sloop  escaped  in 
the  night.  Seven  men  died  of  a  malignant  fe- 
ver ;  and  3  were  lost  by  the  carrying  away  of 
the  main-top  mast,  during  a  heavy  flaw,  the  day 
before  her  arrival  in  port. 

General  Harrison  was  at  Fort  Meigs  the  20th 
April,  1813,  and  gave  directions  to  prepare  to 
defend  the  place  against  an  attack,  which  he  ap- 
prehended, from  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
Fortifleations  were  accordingly  carried  on  with 
great  diligence,  and  every  means  used  to  animate 
the  men  to  defend  the  post.  On  the  26th  and 
27th,  the  reconnoitering  parties  of  the  enemy 
ti^peared  on  the  opposite  shore^  bat  sooa  raticed^ 


:4^ 

■•»2 


lUTORT  OS  THE  VfAR.  i 


fti 


}m 


by 


18,; 

16 

loe 

th- 

me 

»' 

af- 

and 

k 

lice 

■if 

the 

IPC, 

K: 

20 

to 

r 

i 

i 

^j' 

t 

The  Indians  were  sent  across  the  river  during 
the  night  of  the  28th,  and  was  placed  so  as  to 
surround  the  garrison.  The  siege  commenced 
in  form,  on  the  29th,  and  firing  was  kept  up  dur* 
ing  this  and  the  foUowing  day,  by  the  encmy» 
whose  works  were  considerably  impeded  and  in- 
jured by  tlie  firing  from  the  fort.  By  tlie  1st  of 
Alayr  the  works  of  the  fort  were  so  far  eomplet<>> 
6d,  as  to  enable  the  liesieged  to  give  the  enemy  a 
very  warm  reception,  silencing  one  of  their  guns 
several  tiroes.  Durisig  the  2d  and  dd,  the  fii^ 
on  both  sides  continued  very  brisk. 

(to  the  4th,  General  Clay  reached  Fort  Wifi*» 
ehester,  with  upwards  of  lOQ  men,  for  the  relief 
of  the  American  garrison.  On  the  5th,  a  part 
of  General  Clay's  men  arrived,  and  instmctionfi 
were  sent  to  him  by  General  Harrison,  diteeting 
liim  how  to  act  in  his  advance  t^lwards  the  fort> 

Great  zeaf,  and  ntidauiiied  courage,  fii*e  true 
ftharacteristies  of  the  ATnerioan  soldiers;  to 
these  qualities  the  Kentuckian  adds  a  wonderful 
eontempt  of  danger.  On  this  oecasion,  the  ene- 
my received  much  benefit  from  that  cool  caution 
which  enabled  him  to  draw  the  nncalculating 
soldier  into  defiles,  and  within  the  reaeh  of  his 
ambuscade.  Col.  Dudley,  who  was  charged  with 
despatches  ^r  Gen.  Clay,  reeeived  the  command 
of  a  detachment  of  Clay's  men,  landed,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  with  a  view  to  attack 
the  enemy'<^  batteries  ;  he  behaved  with  great 
courage,  but  pursued  the  enemy  until  be  wa6 
drawn  into  an  ambush,  where  the  greater  num- 
ber of  his  men  were  destroyed  by  numbers  vastly 
superior  ;  many  of  those  who  surrendered,  were 
afterwards  tomahawked  and  soaYped  by  the  sav- 
age;.?. Col.  Dudley  was  among  the  killed.  Gen. 
iii^St  ^f^ho  aoatinued  in  command  of  the  remain^ 


;  m\ 


^m-^ 


!0'^' 


BI8T0BT  OT  THE  WAB. 


der  of  his  detachment^  having  landed  near  the 
fort,  permitted  the  men  to  pursue  the  enemy  in- 
to the  woods,  and  was  saved  from  a  fate  similar 
to  that  of  the  heroic  and  unfortunate  Dudlejiry  hy 
the  prudence  and  foresight  of  Gen.  HarrisoUf 
who  sent  out  a  party  to  support  Clay,  and  defend 
his  retreat.  The  Indians  took  advantage  of  the 
opportunity  this  afforded  them,  to  attack  the 
boats,  which  Gen,  Clay  left  unguarded  ;  the  sick 
men  in  the  boats  were  butchered^  and  the  bag- 
gage carried  off. 

The  bravery  of  the  American  troops  during 
these  conflicts,  were  remarkably  brilliant.  Fre- 
quent charges  were  made,  under  direction  of 
Col.  Miller,  Major  Alexander,  Captains  Croghan^ 
Neving,  Bedford,  and  Longham.  £very  bat- 
tery on  the  American  side  of  the  river  were  sue- 
eessfully  carried. 

The  enemy,  after  this,  thought  only  of  retreat- 
ing, which  he  effected  in  great  hurry  on  the  9th* 
An  exehange  of  prisoners  was  previously  effected. 

The  American  loss,  during  13  days  the  enemy 
were  before  the  fort,  amounted  to  81  killed,  and 
180  wounded,  exclusive  of  the  loss  of  Dudley's 
detaehment^  which  exceeded  200  in  killed  an4 
missing* 

The  enemy's  loss  must  have  been  much  great- 
er, as  his  number  of  men  far  exceeded  that  of 
the  Americans.  The  enemy  was  frequently  de- 
feated by  detachments  not  more  than  u  third  of 
his  number. 

Col.  Miller,  with  S50  men,  made  a  sallie.  In 
which  he  defeated  the  enemy,  consisting  of  200 
regulars,  150  militia,  and  500  Indians.  Captain 
Sebre's  company  of  Kentucky  militia,  maintain- 
ed its  ground  against  four  times  its  number,  un- 
til rescued  from  unavoidable  destruction.,  by  tKo 


i 


HISTOBY  01  THE   VIXB. 


Sd 


bravery  of  Lieut.  Gwynne,  of  the  Idth  regiment^ 
and  a  part  of  Capt  Elliot's  company. 

From  the  best  account^  the  besiegers  consisted 
of  560  regulars^  800  militia^  and  more  than  2000 
Indians. 

On  the  25th  April,  1813^  Commodore  Chaun- 
eey  sailed  from  Sachet's  Harbour^  having  on 
board  his  fleet  about  1700  troops,  destined  to 
commence  operations  against  Canada.  They 
arrived  opposite  Little  York,  the  capital  of  Up- 
per Canada,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  Aprils 
and  immediately  commenced  the  landing  of  the 
troops,  under  a  heavy  flre  from  the  enemy.—* 
After  a  very  severe  and  sharp  contest  of  half 
an  hour,  the  enemy  was  repulsed  by  a  number 
far  inferior  to  theirs.  As  soon  as  the  remain- 
der of  the  ti'oops  had  landed,  the  enemy  retired 
to  his  work«  One  battery  being  carried,  the 
troops  were  a^ivancing  towards  the  main  works^ 
when  a  tremendous  explosion  took  place  from 
a  magazine  previously  prepared,  and  which 
threw  out  an  immense  quantity  of  stones,  by 
which  the  Americans  lost  in  killed  »nd  wound- 
ed about  200  men ;  among  the  killed,  ^he  gallant 
Brigadier- General  Pike.  The  !?riti  ^  r^^ular 
troops  having  retreated,  the  comm^ndi  ig  officer 
of  the  militia  agreed  to  terms  of  capitulations 
and  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada  as  surretit^er- 
ed  to  the  American  troops.  The  Amerieaik 
loss  in  killed*  and  wounded,  was  269.  The 
enemy's  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  priso^^^rs^ 
930. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  barbarity  of  the  enemr, 
the  following  <iespateh  from  Commodore  Chaun- 
oey  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  is  gives  ; 

.  Sir,— I  have  the  hao-'Hir  to  present  to  jrou  by  the 
^ds  of  Lieut.  Dudley,  the  British  standard,  taken 


i 


n 


w- 


■■•■a 


!^1:* 


/\ 


1  ^:^:« 


W}. 


''m.\ 


^1 

MS 


,2L 


>t0* 


''0mi< 


'»^ 


«i 


i»-.  •.i^i 


aiif  ORT  OV  THE  VPAB. 


Ht  York  on  the  2rih  April  last,  accompanied  bjr 
the  mace,  over  ^hich  was  hung  a  human  scalp*—. 
These  aiticles  were  taken  from  the  parliament  house 
/by  one  of  my  officers,  and  presented  to  me.  The 
scalp  I  caused  to  be  presented  to  General  Dearborn, 
who,  1  believe,  still  has  it  in  his  possession.  I  also 
send,  by  the  same  gentleman,  one  of  the  British  flags 
taken  at  Fort  George  on  the  27th  of  May.  I  have 
the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant, 

ISAAC  CHAUNCEY. 

The  riflemen^  under  Major  Forsyth,  first  land- 
ed, under  a  heavy  lire  from  the  enemy  ;  General 
'Pike,  to  whom  the  immediate  command  of  the 
.troops  was  entrusted,  landed  as  promptly  as  |M)s- 
sible  after,  the  remaining  troops  soon  followed. 
'The  contest,  on  the  first  landing  of  the  troops, 
was  sharp  a^td  severe  ;  the  enemy  deriving  much 
advantage  from  the  circumstance  that  Maj.  For- 
syth was  driven  iiy  adverse  wind  from  the  des- 
tined point  of  landing.  As  soon  as  Gen.  Pike 
landed,  he  ordered  his  men  «to  advance  up  the 
bank,  which  they  resolutely  performed  in  face  of 
a  warm  discharge  of  musquetry.  The  moment 
pike  reached  the  top,  and  was  about  ordering  a 
.idiarge,  the  enemy  hastily  retreated.  General 
Dearborn  went  ashore  as  soon  as  he  learned  that 
General  Pike  was  wounded  The  town  capitu- 
lated to  Col.  Pierce,  of  the  16th  infantry,  on 
whom  the  command  devolved  after  General  Fike 
^as  disabled.  General  Sheafie  eommanded  the 
British. 

On  the  aad  May,  1813,  Commodore  Cbauncey 
sailed  from  Sacket*s  Harbour,  having  3£»0  men 
of  Col.  M«Comb*s  regiment  on  board,  and  arriv- 
ed near  Niagara  on  the  25th;  the  other  parts  of 
Ids  squadron  had  arrived  before^  and  landed  their 


-i( 


p«»nc* 

silen 

dt*r 

o'< 

it*r 

Boyd 

ligiii 

Ji*r  f 

and 

the 

Whs 

Juan 

pure 

•  lat 


BI8T0BT  Ot  THE  WAB. 


'i^ 


^rDops.  The  commodore  had  an  immediate  in- 
terview with  Gen.  Dearborn,  and  a  plan  of  ope- 
rations against  th'  ^^f^my  was  agreed  on.  On 
the  :26th  the  comn  e  reconnoitcred  the  posi- 
tion for  landing  tli  .1  oops  ;  and,  at  night,  sound- 
ed the  shore.  The  morning  of  the  27th,  was 
^xed  on  for  an  attat;!^  on  the  enemy  at  Fort 
'George.  The  heavy  artillery,  and  as  many  troops 
as  could  be  stowetl,  were  taken  on  board  the 
fleet,  the  remainder  were  ordered  to  embark  on 
l)oard  boats,  and  follow  tL  fleet.  At  3  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  a  signal  was  made  for  the  fleet 
to  weigh,  and  the  troops  were  embarked  on  board 
the  boati  before  four  ;  atsd  soon  after  Generals 
Deai'born  and  Lewis  went  on  board  the  fleet.  In 
the  course  of  the  morning  the  different  vessels 
advanced,  and  took  positions  as  directed.  All 
the  vessels  anchored  within  musket  shot  of  the 
Canada  shore  ;  and  in  ten  minutes  after  they  o- 
pi»m*d  upon  the  batteries,  they  were  completely 
silenced  and  abandoned.  The  light  troops,  un- 
der (vol-  8cott  and  Maj.  Forsytli,  landed  at  nine 
o'i^lock  ;  Gen,  Lewis's  divisions  with  light  artil- 
lery, under  Col.  Porter,  supported  them.  Gen^ 
Boyd"s  brigade  landed  immediately  after  the 
lighr  tro^>T>s  ;  and  tTenerals  Winder  and  Chand- 
ler followed  in  quiek  succession.  The  moment 
h'Ad  arrived  which  muit  put  the  eourage9  skill, 
bnd  patriotism  of  the  soldier  and  the  citizen  t* 
the  moat  trying  t«st.  Every  apparent  advantage 
■was  un  the  aide  of  the  enemy.  The  Britiah  com- 
mander expected  the  attack,  and  he  was  pws 
pured  to  ven'M  it ;  it  was  broad  day-light  before 
a  landing  could  be  effected,  which  circumstance 
gave  to  the  enemy  suflicient  time  to  ascertain 
the  point  of  attaek,  and  ^o  collect  and  arrange 
hk   whole  force  ;  a  ravine  and  wood  eooeealod 


>s 


1   %'•-: 


t 


<m'±^-^ 


&• 


*"*?, 
ii»i" 


[^1 


W  niSTOUT  07  THE   WAR. 

'  his  force  ;  his  position  was  naturally  strongy  he* 
jng  the  bruw  of  a  high  bank,  so  steep  that  the 
artillery,  which  landed  with  Boyd's  brieade,  with 
the  ivtmost  exertions  of  the  men,  could  not  he 
brought  into  the  aetion  until  some  time  after  the 
enemy  had  broke  and  fled  ;  the  enemy's  force 
exceeded  ^000  regulars,  and,  including  militia 
and  Indians,  amounted  f  o  at  least  2500  men*  His 
regulars  were  veterans  of  tried  courage,  great 
experience,  and  long  service ;  his  militia  weie 
trained  and  disciplined,  his  savages  wrought  into 
thf^  most  phienzied  animosity  against  the  Ame- 
I  i'^'ans.  Against  this  host,  the  Americans  could 
1):  >ag  only  1800  men,  raw  ret* ruits,  almost  strais- 
^u^s  to  discipline,  not  innured  to  danger,  and  trw 
"  t'  v/hom  had  ever  seen  a  battle.  Such  was  the 
disparity,  such  the  damper  to  be  eneoufifered,  and 
sueh  the  enemy  to  be  vanfjuished.  fhe  Ameri- 
can lioats  being  too  few  in  number,  were  crowded 
with  men  ;  on  their  approa<'hing  the  shore  a  most 
tremendous  flre  was  opened  on  them.  The  lake 
was  covered  with  foam,  and  the  bank  was  en- 
Tcloped  in  a  continual  blaze.  Fortunately  the 
aim  of  the  enemy  was  not  so  accurate  as  his  ^re 
^as  rapid.  No  sooner  had  the  light  troops  under 
Col.  Scott  landed,  than*  under  their  gallant  lea- 
fier, the>  attempted  to  gain  the  bank.  Thriue 
with  the  most  persevering  courage  was  the  at- 
tempt made,  and  tijvicr  they  were  repelled  by  an 

'  enemy  more  than  lUe  times  their  number.  Boyd 
with  the  first  brigH^le,  had  by  this  time  landed, 
about  five  minutes  after  Scod.  The  troops  were 
immediately  formed  in  platoons  and  companies, 
and  rushed  up  the  bank.     Boyd  was  the  firi<it  to 

i  gain  the  summit,  and  for  a  moment  was  alone  ex- 

^  posed  to  the  enemies  fire.  His  distance  from  the 
British  lines  was  not  more  than  eight  or  ten 


1  -'* 


"  *  i-i-t- 


UISTORT  OF   THE   WAU.^ 


9% 


■  ■^f'it 


jards  at  furthest^  ivhen  every  hayonet  vas  iq- 
slanliy  direeted  towards  him.  But  the  troops 
had  caught  too  large  a  portion  of  the  spirit  of 
their  chief,  to  leave  him  long  >n  this  perilous 
situation.  He  was  quickly  surrounded  by  his 
brave  companions,  and  our  line  was  soon  formed 
at  a  distance,  varymgfrom  five  to  ten  yards  from 
that  of  the  enemy.  It  was  not  till  this  time  that 
the  battle  could  be  said  to  have  fairly  commenc- 
ed. The  patient  courage  of  our  raw  recruits 
had  been  mo9t  severely  tried,  in  approaching  the 
shore,  amidst  showers  of  bullets,  in  receiving 
with  unshrinking  firmness,  a  tremendous  and  dir- 
structive  fire,  which  they  could  not  return. — 
l^heir  intrepidity  was  now  to  be  proved  in  the 
face  of  superior  numbers  of  veterans,  strength^ 
ened  by  a  considerable  irregular  force  of  militia 
and  Indians.  The  fire  of  our  men  was  rapid  and 
exact,  to  a  degree  seldom  surpassed  ;  but  the  su- 
periority of  the  foe  enabled  him  to  maintain  his 
ground  about  fifteen  minutes.  The  victory  wa& 
yet  doubtful,  when  the  men  heard  the  voice  of 
their  chief  exclaiming  the  enemy  fly.  The  effect 
of  this  cheering  sound  in  our  ranks  was  decisive. 
It  produced  an  instantaneous  movement  of  our 
whole  line.  And  the  enemy  before  crossing  bay- 
onets, broke  and  fled  with  the  utmost  precipita- 
tion, leaving  upwards  ofooe  hundred  dead  on  the 
field  of  battle,  two  huiuh'ed  wounded,  and  one 
hundred  prisoncr^i.  The  victory  was  complete. 
Boyd*s  brigade,  and  Huott't  light  troops,  who 
alone  were  in  the  battle,  pursued  the  enemy  to 
Queenston.  If  any  thing  could  enhance  the 
value  of  the  victory,  it  was  the  fact  of  its  being 
purchased  at  so  trifling  a  loss. 

The  enemy  lost  108  killed,  163  wounded,  antl 
il3   taken  prisoners.    The   Americans  lost  3SK 


'^'I'^il 


m^-'-if 


.ma  terartii, 


m 


^ 


HI8T0ST  OF  THE   WAB* 


killed,  and  111  wounded.  In  tbe  enemy's  lb%9p 
507  militiay  who  were  parolled,  are  not  included. 

The  merits  of  this  battle»  so  far  as  they  apper- 
tained to  the  oommander,  belonged  to  (jeneral 
Boyd.  He  commanded  during  the  whole  of  the 
Action,  the  division  under  General  Winder  net 
being  able  to  reach  the  scene  of  aetion  until  after 
the  enemy  had  fled. 

Prior  to  the  taking  of  Fort  George,  three  A^ 
merieans  in  the  camp,  who  refused  to  bear  arras* 
were,  by  order  of  Colonel  Clark  taken  out,  and 
without  ceremony  shot  /  This  infernal  scound- 
dr6l  met  with  bis  deserts  soon  after-*he  was  kiU 
Jed  at  the  time  of  the  surprise  of  Generala  Wiv;? 
der  and  Chandler.  ^ 

A  fire  was  kept  up  at  intervals,  during  the 
9iiceeeding  night,  from  the  batteries  at  Fort  Erie» 
On  tbe  morning  of  tbe  3Stb,  all  the  magazines 
from  Chippewa  to  point  Albino  were  blown  up  ; 
file  enemy  retreated,  and  Fort  Erie,  was  entered 
in  the  afternoon  by  the  American  troops. 

In  these  diflTerent  transactions.  Commodore 
Chauncey  bore  a  spirited  and  useful  part.  The 
loss  on  board  his  fleet  consisted  of  five  killed,  and 
eleven  wounded. 

Capti  Perry,  afterwards  known  as  tbe  bero  of 
Eric,  volunteered  his  ^rvices  on  this  occasiouf 
and  materially  aided  in  securing  success.  <<  He 
was,  according  to  Com.  Chauncey's  report, «  pre«< 
sent  at  every  point  where  be  could  be  useful,  un- 
der showers  of  musketry,  but  fortunately  escaped 
unhurt.** 

The  enemy,  probably  w5th  a  wish  to  perform 
some  exploit  that  might  balance  his  losses  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Niagara  prepared^  with  a  strong 
force,  to  attaek  the  American  force  at  Backet's 
Harbour.     On  the  28tb  May  the  enemy's  fleet 


HISTOBY   OF  THE  VAR« 


sr 


appeared,  accompanied  by  a  largo  number  of 
boats.     Lieut.  Chjuncey,  of  the  navy,  camo  in 
from  the  lake,  firing  alarm  guns.     General  JacoU* 
Brown,  who  commanded   the  fort,  made  every 
possible  disposition  to  repel  the  menaced  attack. 
On  the  morning  of  the  i9lb,  33  large  boats,  filled 
ivith  troops,  came  off  from  the  enemy,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Garden  Island,   under  cover  of  some 
gun-boats.     The   militia,  stationed  near  ^vhere 
the  enemy  proposed  to  land,  fired  with  consider- 
able effect,  and  then  fled  from  their  post.    The 
^nemy  effected  a  landing  with   about  1200  meii 
at  Horse  Inland.     A  detachment  of  militia,  un-^ 
der  command  of  Capt.  M^Nitt,  threw  themselves^ 
ifVith  considerable  efl^ect,  on  the   ..  arofthe  ene*. 
my 's  left  flank,  whrle  the  regulars,  under  Co1« 
Backus,  engaged  and  routed  him.     Gen.  Prevost 
who  commanded  the  British  es|)edition,  retreateci 
with  great  precipitation,  under  protection  of  the 
guns  of  his  vessels  ;  ami  thus  saved  himself  anti 
men  from  being  made  prisoners.     According  ta 
a  previous  arrangement,  it  ^Yas  agreed,  that  io' 
a   certain    event,   the   stores,  &c.  at  the  navy- 
point,  should  be  destroyed:    This  event  did  not 
happen ;  but  some  i^erson,  unauthorised,  brought 
information   to  Lieut;  Ghauneey,  that  the  battle 
was  lost — the  stores^  accordingly  were  destroyed*  • 
Gen*  Jacob  Brown,  of  the  state  of  New- York^ 
who  commanded   the   land  forces    at   SacketV 
Harbour,  gave  a  substantial  proof  of  those  mili- 
tary talents,  which,  in  all  his  subsequent  opera-^ 
tlons,  were  so  conspicuously  usefuT  tobis  coun- 
try, and  so  uniform^  honourable  to  himself,  thati 
even   envy  never  dared  lisp  an  ibsinuation  dis- 
creditable or  dishonourable  to  the  general.     Sit- 
James  Lucus  Yeo  commanded  tke  British  fl€6t»> 


I?; 


r,.'^l 


I'l: 


I 


H^W 

m' 

ffi.  iS 

lit 

K.;aK 

4m' 

S-4X 

M' 

W'*^^ 

^ 

H'r.lSX 

xjl'' 

ir 


BISTOBT   01   THE   WAX* 


Tlic  enemy's  loss  was  very  conftiderable,  induct 
ing  several  officers  of  distinction.  The  Ameri- 
eann  lost  about  150  io  killed  and  wounded  ;  Col. 
IV] ills  was  killed^  and  Colonel  Backus  mortally 
wounded.  About  400  regular  troops  su:  'alned 
the  heat  of  the  action.  ■'^ 

At  the  close  of  the  action,  a  British  barge^ 
with  a  naval  lieutenant,  under  a  flag  of  truoe* 
eame  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  demanded  of 
an  officer^  who  was  standing  there,  in  the  name 
of  the  general  and  commodore,  the  surrender  of 
Sacket's  Harbour.  The  officer  replied  **  N09" 
and  the  flag  returned. 

^  The  pride  and  presumed  authority  of  Britain 
dn  lier  oton  demain,  the  oeean,  was  materially 
tarnished.  The  laurels  plucked  from  France^. 
Spain,  Portugal,  and  Holland,  were  withering^ 
and  seemed  to  be  transferred  to  adorn  the  browa^ 
of  the  hitherto  despised  commanders  of  the  lAU 
lipuiian  fleet  of  America.  It  wr»  resolved,  by 
Ihe  enemy,  to  retrieve  lost  honour.  An  expe- 
dient was  resorted  to  which  was  successful,  so- 
far  as  t^e  capturing  of  a  ship,  yet  an  astonished 
and  admiring  world  remained  unaltered  in  the 
opinion,  that  the  superiority  of  American  tars^ 
was  not  lessened  by  the  event,  nor  the  fading 
lustre  of  British  Invincibility^  in  any  manner  re*^^ 
t'rieved. 

For  some  time  befbre  the  first  of  Jane«  the^ 
British  frigates  Tenedo»,  Bellepoulcy  and  Shan- 
non, were  off  the  harbour  of  Boston,  where  the 
Chesapeake  lay.  The  Tenedos  and  Bellepoule^ 
having  put  a  part  of  their  erew  on  l)oard  the 
Shannon,  proceeded  to  sea.  The  Shannon  (the 
best  frigate  in  the  British  navy,)  appeared  alone- 
oflT  the  iiarbour,  on  which  the  Chesapeake  got 
Hui^t  wjeigbi  ai  laeridian^  on  1st  Juncf  at  15 


BISTORT  OF  THE   WA£« 


i^ 


minn lei  before  six,  an  action  commenccdy  ivitliifi' 
pistol    ihoty  and   in  a  few   minutes  the  vesAcla^ . 
•loHcd  ;  the  arm  chest   of  the  Chesapeake  was*  • 
hlown  up  by  a  hard  grenade^   thrown  from  (hd^ 
enemy's  ship*  and  imntcdiately  after,  the  Clies- 
apeake  was  carried  by  boarding,  and  the  pri* 
tate  signals  of  the  navy  of  the  United  States  fell 
iktto  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  enemy  boasted  not  of  tliis  victory,  it  cost 
him  too  dear,  and  was  an  in<)i»imtable  proof  of 
American  bravery.  Nev^r  whs  tliere  such  ear- 
sage  between  two  sJiips,  in  shoi't  a  time.-^^ 
The  loss  on  board  the  Shanno  nftot  be  exaet^rt 
ly  ascertained  ;  the  loss  on  tK>ard  the  Chesa- 
peake, was  48  killed,  and  96  wounded.  Total 
killad  and  wounded,  141*. 

Ev<*ry  officer,  npon    whom  the  command  olT 
the  ship   would  devolve,   was  either  killed    oih, 
wounded  previously  to  the  capture  of  the  vcs-;* 
sel.     The  brave  Captain  Lawrence  was  mortally 
l^'ounded. 

On  the  authority  of  Capt.  John  Upton»  com- 
mander of  the  privateer  Cossack,  of  Salem,  the 
following  eircumstanees  were  published  in  a»^ 
eastern  paper : 

«  Afterthe  enemy  had  complete  possession  of  the- 
aihip,  and  the  men  were  ordered  from  the  tops,  Mn 
Berry,  a  midshipman^  who  commanded  the  misea 
tpp,  surrendered  himself  as  a  prisoner,  when  two^ 
sailors  rushed  up,  and  seized  him  by  the  collar,  a#» 
temfited  to  throvf  him  overboard^  but  he  got  within 
the  shrouds,  when  they  seized  him  by  the  heels,  and> 
threw  him  on  the  deck  !  Being  stunned  by  the  fall, 
he  lay  some  time  senseless,  and  when  he  came  too^ 
he  was  cut  over  the  head  with  a  cutlass,  which  near>- 
ly  terminated  his  existence.  Mr.  Livingston,  ano- 
^er  midshipman^  after    receiving  a   musket  bsA 


■,M-..,V>»,J 


at. !  (*  I 

■1-:     (■■I 

.■.'■(;f/| 


ri*     ▼^  .0.      >!?         t 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


12.8 


u 

lU 

u 


IL25  i  1.4 


6" 


\15 
2.2 

2.0 


I 

1.6 


Photographic 

Sdences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


4^ 


4% 


^ 


O^ 


9% 


HISTORY   OV  THE   WAR. 


ty»rough  his  body,  ¥?as  run  through  the  body  three 
times,  notwithstanding  his  repeated  cries  for  quar- 
ters, (and  after  the  enf-my  had  possession  of  the 
ship !)  he  lived  long  enough  to  express  his  indig- 
nation at  the  brutality  of  bis  enemies,  and  expired- 
in  a  few  Iwurs.  Thr,^e  men  were  killed  in  the  hold 
after  the  capture  of  the  ship  j  and  they  even  fired  in- 
to the  cockfiitf  among  the  wounded  and  dying  I  Ele^ 
ven  of  the  Chesapeake's  officers  were  confined  in  a 
small  place  nine  feet  by  six,  with  a  guard  at  the  door> 
till  their  arrival  at  Halifax,  and  only  one  or  two  per- 
mitted to  come  out  at  a  time.  Men  were  shot  at  in 
coming  down  out  of  the  tops  to  surrender  them* 
selves,  and  other  instances  of  barbarity  took  place> 
disgraceful  to  a  civilized  people." 

The  boasting  of  British  editors  and  the  re« 
joicings  of  British  partizansy  were  rather  inad 
than  enthusiastic  on   the   recover)'  of  her  tri« 
dent  by  the  mistress  of  (he  deep;  hut  (hk  re- 
joicing did   not  long  eontinue ;  the  facts   con- 
nected with  the  engagement  could  not  be  long^ 
concealed.    The    cowardly    superiority  of  the 
enemy,  the  unexampled  bravery  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, and  the  great  loss  of  blood  in  defence  of 
their  flag,  especially  when  contrasted  with  for- 
mer engagements  in  which  the  enemy  was  de- 
feated, left  no  solid  ground  for  exultation,  no- 
thing of  which    to  boast.    The    unprejudieed' 
reasoner  will  be  yet  found  holding  the  laurel^ 
and  doubting  whether  to  award  it  to  the  victor 
or  the  vanquished.    The  honours  conferred   on 
Capt.  Broke,  by  his  cbuntrymen,  were  justly  due 
to  great  valour,  of  which  he  is  certaiDly  posses- 
sed, although  in  this  instance,  it  was  tarnished 
by  a  dastardly  plan  to  render  success  certain. 

The  body  of  Captain  Lawrence  was  interred; 
«t  Halifax^  on  th^  Sth  June^  on  which  QccaaioQ^ 


fas 


MMIi 


1 

i 


UISTOBY  OF  THE  VfAMm 


Oft 


tb^  British  officers  joinod  in  proeession,  to  sLow 
their  respect  for  a  naval  30DiiMander»  whose  ho-^ 
roisiu*  skill  and  demeanor^  drew  respeet  from 
all,  even  from  the  enemy. 

.  Captain  Crowninshield,  of  Salem,  (Ms.)  hav- 
ing obtained  a  tlag  of  truce,  proceeded  to  Hali- 
fax in  the  brig  Henry,  at  his  own  private  ex- 
pense ;  and,  being  permitted  to  ttike  on  board 
bis  vessel,  the  body  of  Captain  Lawrence,  and 
also  that  of  Lieutentant  Ludlow,  brought  the 
(Jorpscs  lo  8nlem,  where  a  funeral  prucession 
took  place,  on  the  17th  August,  with  every  mark* 
of  regret,  esteem >  and  gratitude,  which  the  citi- 
zens could  bestow.  Judge  Story  delivered  » 
suitable  oratk>n  :  the  eflTec^  produeed  on  the  au-( 
dleniie  when  the  orator  pronounced  the  Is^st  4yt 
ing  words  of  Lai?i*fnce,  <*i>oi9T  givb.itf  O'uii 
0HiP,^  may  be  conceived  ^  to  describe  it  woidil 
be  impossible.  .    ^  jj,.,  .^ 

.  Mn  Edward  N.  Cox,  brotber*in<law>to  Cap* 
tain  Lawrcnoe,  proceeded  to  Salem,  and,  having 
received  the  fai>dies  of  the  two  hevwn,  convey- 
ed them  tofthe  dty  of  New- Yorkt  where  they 
were  finally  interred.  The  arrangements  for  A 
pttblie  fotieral  w^ere  made,  under  the  direction  of 
a  eonimittee  of  the  common  council  of  the  city. 

'  'On  Thursday,  the  16th  September,  pursuant 
to  arrangements,  the  bodies  of  our  valiant  coun- 
trymen, Lawrence  and  Ludlow,,  were  finally 
consigned  to  the  peaceful  tomb.  The  unusual 
number  which  swelled  the  mournful  procession^ 
and  the  uiidissembled  sorrow  which  marked  ev-, 
cry  countenance  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest^, 
order*  evinced  in  an  unparalleled  degree,  the 
public  sympathy,  and  that  the  honours  paid  to 
the  « mighty  deftd"  were  not  more  conspicuouft 
tbw^  deierved.    On  no  similar  occasion  have  va 


11 


Mk 


HISTOBT  OF  THE   WAB^* 


'y^Si«4i    ■  *k.\ 


''■(■. 


,^.mD' 


witnessed  a  tcstiniooial  of  reject  so  uniTerw. 
sal  and  sinoero.  It  was  indeed  a  day  of  mourn- 
ioe.  The  hearts  of  hoary  patriots,  and  youth-* 
ful  heroesy  beat  in  solemn  unison^  and  the  bright 
eye  of  beauty  glistened  with  a  tributary  tear. 
Not  only  the  reflections  arising  from  such  a 
scene,  but  every  transaction  connected  with  the 
proceedings  of  the  day,  were  calculated  to  in>- 
spite  with  reverence  the  coldest  and  most  disin- 
terested spectator. 

The  concourse  of  spectators  who  witnessed 
this  interesting  and  impressive  exhibition,  was 
innumerable,  and  is  supposed  to  amount  to  for- 
ty or  fifty  thousand.  The  streets  were  lined^ 
the  windows  crowded,  and  the  roofs  oovered 
witli  citizens,  viewing  the  grand  and  •olemn' 
speotaoie.  The  procession  of  boats  in  the^  har- 
bour, from  its  novelty  in  particular,  attracted 
much  attention,  and  the  wharves  and  the  rig* 
ging  of  the  vessels  in  the  doeksy  were  orowd^ 
with  spectators. 

The  corporation  made  a  provision  of  1,000 
dollars  for  each  of  the  two  infant  ehiHren  of 
Captain  Lawrence. 

An  application  to  the  British  naval  officer^ 
Captain  Oliver,  for  permission  to  convey  the 
boflies  of  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  by  water^  to 
New- York  was  shamefully  refused. 

The  following  extracts,  translated  from  il 
French  paper,  is  wort  by  of  a  place  here. 

*<The  British,  who  had  triumphed  in  somanynar 
val  combats,  previously  to  the  prevailing  Americaa 
war,  have  long  relinquished  the  practice  of  rojoicing 
for  victories  obtained  over  a  single  frigate.  If  an 
achievement  of  that  sort  took  place  against  any  of 
the  European  powers,  the  detail  of  the  action  was 
merely  inserted  in  the  London  Gazette,  the  papers 


^. 


BISfOBT  OV  THIS   WAB. 


n 


tii  the  metropolis  echoed  the  narrative,  paid  a  press- 
ing compliment  to  the  officer,  and  the  afTaii  went 
off,  being  recorded  firo  memoriae  in  the  Naval 
Ghronicle,  as  a  thing  of  course.  Votes  of  honour 
Imni  the  corporation  of  London,  a  sword  of  a  hun- 
dred guineas  value,  and  puHiamentary  encomiums^ 
W(  re  reserved  for  the  hero  who  should  destroy  a 
^eet.  The  battle  of  the  Nile,  that  of  I'rufalgar, 
and  the  like,  were  alone  brilliant  enough  to  excite 
tfie  applause  of  a  people  giown  callous  to  common 
feats  of  renown,  and  who,  accustomed  to  vanquish 
every  thing  on  the  ocean,  believed  themselves  om- 
tvipt't'.n'  on  that  element  In  the  Americans  tite 
British  have  found  an  enemy  '^.bat  has  obstructed 
the  agreeable  train  of  their  maritime  ideas.  The 
citizens  of  the  United  States  ar^  the  best  seamen 
in  the  world.  Their  officers  are  men  of  nautical 
science,  of  great  experience,  and  generally  in  the 
prime  of  life.  The  first  naval  combat  of  the  war^ 
marked,  not  a  single  equality  of  skill  and  courage 
in  the  men  of  the  two  countries,  but  a  decided  su- 
periority in  favour  of  the  Americans.  If  the  Eng- 
lish pride  was'^  mortified  at  the  sudden  reverse  in 
the  captu  e  of  the  Guerritre,  the  whole  British  go- 
yernment  was  thrown  into  consternation  at  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Macedonian,  the  Java,  the  Frolic,  and  the 
Peacock.  Such  rapid  and  successive  defeats  made 
the  cabinet  of  St.  James  bristle  again  ;  it  seemed  as 
if  all  the  English  captains  were  doomed  to  pass,  one 
^ter  the  other,  under  the  Yankee  yoke,  or  to  the  rer 
sions  of  the  dead  !" 

3  u^^  triumph  gained  by  something  very  like  an 
art.fice,  has  given  occasion  to  the  most  extravagant 
demonstrations  of  joy  in  London.  A  member  of 
parliament,  whose  name  is  Croaker,  which  in  the 
English  tongue,  signifies  a  noisy,  but  contemptible 
reptile,  has  pronounced  on  the  occasiou  a  most 
preposterous  eulogium,  and  the  corporation  of  Loo;- 
4oa  have  treated  the  affair  as  if  the  fleets  of  all  thQ 


% 


i  -I 


9^ 


HISTCnftT  Of  THV  WAS. 


*     4 


'".  57 


'■-.L 


•world  had  been  uicbored  in  the  Thamei}  a«  tropliUs 
of  their  valour  !  Who  is  there  that  docs  not  perceive 
ill  this  vapouring  of  the  Islanders,  a  rea/ /<rar  for 
their  ultimate  naVal  superiority  ?  The  Americans 
will  soon  recover  from  this  event.  Thf.y  are  a  peo- 
ple that  do  not  yield  to  misfortune.  We  had  some 
expt-ricnce  of  them  30  years  ago ;  and  thoy  have 
Already  evinced  that  they  have  not  degenerated.*' 

The  bat'iiarous  usaee  which  the  erew  of  ttie 
Chesapeake  received  fi-om  the  enemy,  when  con- 
trasfed  with  fhe  treatment  which  the  brave  Law- 
renoe  and  his  crew  observcd»  when  (bey  were 
victors,  is  the  best  possible  comment  on  (be  ehA- 
Taeter  of  both  nations. 

t^'  It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  note,  and  in  (be  blgbesut 
dej3;ree  honourable  to  our  brave  tars,  that  on  (he 
day  preceding  the  desduction  of  (be  Peaeock, 
(he  crew  of  the  llornrt  made  a  subscription,  and 
supplied  (he  prisoners  (who  bad  lost  almost  eve^ 
Ty  thing.)  with  two  shirts,  and  a  Jacket  andti*ow- 
•ers  each.  i 

The  foilowi^tg  is  the  official  report  of  an  ey- 
trnordinary  event  which  occurred  June  6.  ^ 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Major-general  Dearborn^  ta 
the  sccvetarv  of  war. 

Head'Quurtert^  Fort  George^,  June  6^  1813. 

Sir — I  have  received  an  express  from  the  head  of 
the  lake  this  evening,  with  intelligence,  that  our 
troops,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  Chaniiler,  were  at- 
tacked at  two  o'clock  this  morning  by  the  whole  of 
the  British  and  Indian  forces,  and  by  eome  strange 
fatality,  though  our  loss  was  small,  (not  exceeding; 
thirty)  ai»d  the  enemy  completely  routed  and  driven 
from  the  field,  bo!h  Brig.  Genernls  Chandler  aud 
Winder,  were  taken  prisoners.  They  had  advkncedl 
to  ascertain  the  situation  of  a  company  of  artiiler^ 
when  the  attack  commenced.  General  Vincent  » 
fiftid  to  be  among  the  killed  of  the  enemy  \  Colonet 


::";*- 


""■"  '     •" ''■-     "i--iir,iiii  II  ir 


•      --'"  Hir'ifir  iif  I  'i  \''ii 


r  f^i, 


fiI8T«ET  OF  THE  VIU. 


Clarke  was  mortally  wounded,  and  fell  into  out^ 
hands,  with  60  prisoBers  of  the  49th  British  regiment* 
The  whole  loss  of  the  enemy  is  350.  They  sent  in 
a  flag  with  a  request  to  bury  the  dead.  Gen.  Lewisy 
accompanied  by  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  goes  on  to  take  the 
command  of  the  advance  troops." 

It  appears,  that  on  this  oooasion,  the  advanc- 
ed guard  of  the  American  array  commenced  a 
flharp  skirmish  with  the  advance  of  the  enemy^ 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  6th  June :  ihe  latter  was 
compelled  to  retreat  in  a  thick  wood.  In  the 
evening,  the  Americans  took  a  position  behind 
8toney-creek  ;  the  light  infantry  and  part  of  the 
rifle  corps,  on  the  right  of  the  2ath  regiment, 
formed  the  right  wing ;  the  artillery,  under  Capt« 
Townsend,  and  L.  Leonard,  the  centre  ;  the  5th, 
16th,  and  23d  infantry,  and  some  riflemen,  the 
left ;  and  the  cavalry  in  the  rear ;  the  picket 
guards  were  strong,  and  so  plaeed,  as  to  surround 
the  encampment  with  ccntinels.  The  whole 
force  did  not  exceed  1000  men,  but  their  disposi- 
tion was  the  best  that  eould  be  made.  Three 
hundred  men  were  encamped  on  the  border  of 
the  lake,  for  the  protection  of  the  boats. 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  enem;^ 
forced  the  picket,  and  attacked  the  encampment 
in  the  dark,  with  his  whole  force  of  regulars  and 
Indians.  The  Americans  withstood  and  resisted 
the  enemy  with  such  resolution  and  success,  that 
"When  the  day  dawned,  none  of  the  enemy  were 
to  be  seen,  but  the  killed  and  wounded,  who 
eovered  the  field  of  battle. 

The  attack  began  on  the  right  and  was  gal- 
lantly repelled  by  the  fire  of  the  light  troopi 
and  25th  regiment,  commanded  by  Maj.  Smith, 
In  a  few  minutes  it  became  general  along  the 
^hole  line,  and  was  nobly  returned  by  the  ar- 


<*■ 


w 


,mi: '.: 


BISTORT  OF  THB  VthJA* 


p. 
I 


i 


tillery  of  the  centre,  oommanded  by  CaptaiOfl 
^'owDsend,  and  L.  Leonard,  and  by  the  troops  of 
the  left  mng,  viz.  the  5th  under  Lieut.  Col.  Mil- 
ton, the  23d  oonimanded  by  MaJ.  Armttrongy 
and  the  I6th.  The  fire  continued  with  little  in- 
terniifisjon  for  one  hour,  during  which  time  the 
enemy  attempted,  by  frequent  charges,  tO  break 
our  line,  but  without  effect,  being  obliged  to  give 
"way  by  the  well  directed  fire  of  our  brave  tniops. 

The  13th  and  i4th  regiments  (which  had  been 
detached  the  preceding  evening)  were  active  in 
making  prisoners,  and  advanced  with  as  much  ar- 
dor to  the  field,  in  ho|ies  of  sharing  with  the 
gallant  5th,  and  22d,  23d,  and  light  troops,  the 
glory  of  another  combat.  But  the  unfortunate 
capture  of  Brig.  Gens.  Chandler  and  Winder^ 
Vfho  were  taken  in  the  action  unknown  to  any 
part  of  the  army,  and  hurried  to  the  enemy's 
lines,  prevented  the  future  operations  from  be- 
ing carried  into  efiect,  with  the  promptitude 
which  assuredly  would  have  taken  place,  had 
either  of  those  ofiicers  been  present  to  com- 
mand, .r^ 

As  soon  as  it  was  discovered  that  generals 
"Winder  and  Chandler  were  prisoners,  Colonel 
James  Burn,  on  whom  the  command  devolved, 
summoned  a  council  of  war,  a  majority  of  whom 
decided,  that  the  army  ought  to  retiro  IQ  Mf 
former  position,  at  Forty-mile  creek.  -I 

The  army  on  this  occasion  has  proved  its 
firmness  and  bravery,  by  keeping  its  position  in 
a  night  attack,  in  which  the  yells  of  the  Indians, 
mingled  with  the  roaring  of  the  cannon  and  mos- 
ketry  were  calculated  to  intimidate.  The  ene- 
my charged  repeatedly,  and  so  dark  was  the 
night,  that  our  army  could  not  distinguish  firienll 
from  foe ;  in  one  of  these  they  succeeded  in 


E-9#.>' 


■m 


't'?^^" 


HISTOBT  OV  THE   WAB. 


m 


carrying  offa  six  pounder,  howitzer,  and  a  oals- 
son»  to  the  great  oi  irtifieation  of  our  brave  ar- 
tillery. It  is  presumed  it  was  on  that  occasion  al- 
so that  we  lost  our  generals,  who  were  distinctly 
beard  encouraging  our  men  to  light.  The  squa- 
dron of  dragoons  remained  formed  and  steady 
At  their  posts,  but  oouldnotact  on  account  of  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  and  the  thickness  of  the 
adjacent  woods. 

Jtefiort  qf  killed^  wounded  and  miaaingy  in  the  actiop 
qfthe  6th  June^  at  Sitoney  Creek, 

JGiled — I  Serjeant,  1  corporal,  15  privates. 

Wounded '^l  captaiH)  1  serjeautj  2  corporals^  and 
34  privates. 

Aiiasing^-2  brigadier-generals,  1  major,  3  captains^ 
]  subaltern)  9  Serjeants,  4  corporals,  80  privates. 

STo^a/— killed,  wounded  and  missing,  154. 

Correct  returns  from  the  reports  of  the  different 
corps  in  the  action,  of  the  6th  inst.  at  Stoney  Creek. 

J.  JOHNSON,  Ast.  4dj.  Gen. 

The  enemy  acknowledged  to  have  on  this  oe* 
oasion,  the  8th,  or  king's  regiment,  280  men  ; 
•if9th  regiment,  430-^Total  ;f;^;ular  710,  besides 
«<  a  powerful  body  of  Indians  under  the  Chief 
^Norton.'*  As  the  enemy  makes  no  mention  of 
his  militia,  and  he  is  known  to  under-rate  his 
actual  force  in  every  action,  it  may  be  supposed^ 
vthat  his  force',  in  the  engagement  at  Stoncy-creek> 
was  very  considerable. 

The  Ameriaan  army  took  up  a  position  at 
Forty-mile  creek,  ten  miles  in  rear  of  the  ground 
on  which  It  had  been^  attacked.  Here  it  was  join- 
ed at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  7th  June» 
by  a  reinforcement  under  the  command,  of  Gen. 
lie  wis.  At  six  o'oloek  in  the  evening,  the  hostile 
ileet  bove  in  sight  ^  the  Americans  lay  on  their 
arms  during  the  night.    At  dawn  of  day  the 


* 


r^^  ^- 


ido 


HISTORY  OF  THE  17AB* 


hi  ■ 


squadron  appeared  about  a  mile  from  the  shotre ; 
about  six  o'clock  towed  in  a  large  sohoonery  (it 
being  a  dead  calm^)  with  a  view  to  destroj[  a  num- 
ber of  boats  attached  to  the  American  army 
which  lay  on  the  beach.  By  means  of  a  tempo- 
vary  furnace,  construcled  in  half  an  hour^  under 
diremion  of  Capt.  Tottcn,  of  the  engineers,  and 
by  the  successful  fire  from  four  pieces  of  artillery, 
worked  by  the  men  of  Captain  Archer  and  Tow- 
son's  companies,  the  enemy's  schooner  was  com- 
pelled (o  retire,  without  effecting  the  destruction 
of  the  boats.  A  party  of  Indians  having  oecu- 
pied  a  commanding  eminence,  commeneed  an  at- 
tack on  the  Americans,  but  were  soon  dislodged, 
and  forced  to  retreat  before  a  party  of  volunteers, 
under  command  of  Lieut.  Eldricige,  adjutant  in 
Col.  Chrystie's  regiment.  Sir  James  Yeo,  com- 
mander of  the  enemy's  fleet,  having  failed  in  his 
attack  on  the  boats,  sent  a  flag  to  the  American 
commander,  demanding  a  surrender  of  the  army  ; 
to  this  a  verbal  negative  was  given.  On  the  1 4tb, 
a  part  of  the  camp  e^quipage  and  baggage  were 
put  in  boats,  and  the  weather  being  fivoura- 
bie,  the  boats  put  off,  without  waiting  for  a  de- 
tachment of  200  men,  which  was  ordered  to  eo 
on  board  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  them,  m 
case  or  being  attacked.  It  was  a  short  time 
calm,  hut  a  breeze  springing  up,  when  they  had 
progressed  about  three  miles,  they  were  borne 
down  upon  by  an  armed  sobooner ;  the  most  en- 
terprising kept  on  and  escaped,  others  ]ran  to  the 
shore  and  deserted  their  boats ;  twelve  of  the 
boats,  principally  containing  baggage  of  the  of- 
Qcers  and  men,  were  taken.  At  ten  o'clock,  Gen« 
Lewjs  put  the  army  in  motion,  in  order  to  return 
to  Niagara ;  the  Canadian  militia  and  savage^ 
hang  on  their  flanks  and  rear^  during  the  retreat. 


•t*- 


^ 


HilTOBT  OV  THE  WAIt. 


•H^Jpi 


lot 


^  liieitt  Colonel  Qcerstler  was  detached  on  the 
erening  of  the  23d  June»  with  570  men  to  a  place 
called  Beaver-damB,  about  9  miles  from  Queens- 
ton,  to  tdisperse  a  body  of  the  enemy  collected 
there.  The  enemy's  force  was  understood  to 
consist  of  aliove  80  regulars,  150  or  200  mililia* 
a  id  50  or  60  Indians.  Col.  Boerstler's  detach- 
ment reaclud  within  about  two  miles  of  Beaver- 
dams,  at  eight  o^clookin  the  morning,  when  it  was 
attacked  from  an  ambuscade  consisting  of  500 
regulars,  and  100  Indians,  but  soon  repulsed  the 
enemy,  and  then  retired  to  a  clear  field,  and  sent 
an  express  for  reinforcements.  A  reinforcement 
of  300  men,  under  command  of  Col.  Chrystie, 
was  quickly  marched  to  the  aid  of  Col.  Boerst- 
7or ;  bu<,  on  arriving  at  Queenston,  was  in- 
ff*'  ifiied,  that  Lieut.  Col.  Boet'stler*  with  his  com- 
inand,  had  surrendered  to  the  enemy.  The  re- 
inforcement returned  to  camp.  The  American 
troops  fought  with  great  bravery  for  two  hours^ 
while  surroundediiy  superior  numbers.  General 
Dearborn,  in  his  official  statement,  dated  at  Fort 
George,  June  25th,  expresses  his  surprise,  ^*  why 
it  should  have  been  deemed  proper  to  remain- 
several  hours  in  a  position  surrounded  by  woods^ 
without  either  risking  a  decisive  action,  oreffect- 
ihg  a  retreat,  remains  ta  bo  accounted  for,  as 
well  as  the  project  of  waiting  for  a  reinforcement 
from  a  distance  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles."  l^his 
difficulty  was  soon  cleared  up  1^  Major  Chapin* 
who  commanded  the  militia  atthe  battle  of  Bea- 
ver dams,  but  who  arrived  at  Buffaloe  in  th& 
ilight  of  the  13th  July,  having,  together  with 
his  company,  escaped  from  the  enemy,  after  be- 
ing prisoners  of  war.  Capt.  Chapin  stated,  that' 
the  enemy  was  considerably  superior  in  number^ 
Qotwithstaading  which,  Lieut.  Colonel  Boer stler 

I  2 


'•-'.'. I 


*;:^ 


102 


nsTOnT  OF  THB  VA». 


4? 


would  have  been  able  to  maintain  his  position,  or 
eut  a  passage  through  the  enemj^  so  as  to  effeet 
a  retreat ;  but  at  this  Juneture  a  British  ofSeer 
rode  up  and  demanded  the  surrender  o£  the  A- 
meriean  party.  The  demand  was  made,  he  said* 
to  prevent  the  effusion  of  blood.  He  asserted 
also,  upon  his  lionour,  and  declared  in  the  most 
solemn  manner,  that  the  British  regular  force 
was  double  that  of  the  American,  and  tjat  the 
Indians  were  700  in  number.  Lieut.  Col.  Boerst- 
Jcr,  under  a  belief  of  these  facts,  and  thinking  it 
impracticable  to  get  off  the  wounded,  whom  he 
was  unwilling  to  abandon  to  the  mercy  of  the  sa- 
vages, and  deeming  it  extremely  uncertain  whe- 
ther a  retreat  oouTd  be  effected,  thought  proper 
to  agree  to  terms  of  capitulation,  which,  were  at 
length  signed  by  himself  on  the  one  part^  and  H|| 
Lieut.  Col.  Bishop  on  the  other. 

Capt.  Chapin  makes  the  following  statement : 

M  The  articles  of  capitulation  were  no  sooner  sign- 
ed, than  they  were  violated.  The  Indians  immedi- 
ately commenced  their  depredations,  and  plundered 
the  officers  of  their  side  arms.  The  soldiers  too 
were  stripped  of  every  article  of  clothing  to  which  the 
savages  took  a  fancy,  such  as  hats,  coats,  shoes,  &»c.*^ 

By  the  articles  of  capitulation,  it  was  stipulat- 
ed that  the  wounded  should  be  taken  good  care 
of,  the  officers  be  permitted  to  retain  theit  side- 
arms,  private  property  be  respected,  and  the  mi- 
litia Immediately  paroled.  How  oharaeteristiq 
of  a  savage  and  faithless  enemy  was  this  shame- 
ful violation  of  honour  and  good  faith. 

Major  Chapin  and  his  corps  were  detained  un- 
der guard  at  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  no 
attention  paid  to  the  articles  of  capitulation, 
^ich  provided  for  their  beln^;  paroUed^    Qn  Uie 


^M 


BlITORY  Of  THB   WAS. 


ia? 


I 


•it- 


12th  inst.  tliry  were  ordered  down  the  hike  to 
Kingston  ;  fur  which  place  they  were  embarked 
iu  two  boats,  aooompanied  by  a  guard  of  15  men» 
under  the  command  oi  a  lieutenant.  Tliirteen 
oftheuien»  with  the  lieutenant,  were  stationed 
in  the  forward  boat  with  Major  Chapin  and  tho 
other  officers,  while  the  remaining  two,  (a  ser- 
geant and  one  man,)  took  tlie  direction  of  the  other 
boat,  which  contained  the  soldiers.  An  agree-  ^ 
jnent  had  been  entered  into,  previous  to  their  de»^ 
parturc,  of  seizing  the  first  opportunity  that  of- 
fered to  regain  their  liberty,  whieh  they  deter- 
mined to  eifect,  or  die  in  the  attempt.  When 
they  were  within  about  12  miles  of  York,  the 
boat  which  was  filled  with  the  prisoners,  was 
rowed"  by  them  along  side  the  other,  under  pre- 
tence of  taking  something  to  drink.  I'ho  signal 
being  given,  they  sprang  upon  the  guard,  who 
little  expected  such  a  manoeuvre,  and  in  a  short 
time  disarmed  them,  and  gained  possession  of 
the  boats.  They  immediately  altered  their  course 
from  Kingston  to  Fort  Niagara,  and  after  row- 
ing hard  fir  most  of  the  night,  and  escaping  with 
difficulty  foom  one  of  the  enemy's  schooners^ 
which  gave  them  chase,  arrived  in  safety  with 
their  prisoners,  at  the  American  garrison. 

The  following  extract  of  a  private  letter  from 
Fort  George,  made  its  appearance  in  a  publie 
newspaper,  in  the  first  week  in  August : 

<f  A  large  boat  arrived  two  days  since  from  Little 
York,  containing  one  lieutenant,  and  eight  of  his  Bri-* 
tannic  majesty's  militia,  captured  by  eight  of  our  men, 
(three  regulars  and  five  militiat)  taken  at  Beaver 
Dams. .  The  lieutenant  and  his  party  were  conducting 
them  to  Kingston — our  men  rose  on  the  English,  and 
brought  them  in  here.  Another  boat,  with  14  of 
Boerstler^s  men,  ht^  j[ust  come  in  from  York,  bring- 
ing with  them  their  centinel}  and  one  other  persop^^^ 


V    'n 


.'vf;  ■ 


■*, 


104 


HISTiAT  OW  THE  WAS. 


I 


I 

V 


f  if 


1 


1 

i 
*■ 


f" 


I 


Tt  would  be  un  unpardonable  injustice  to  the 
brave  Chapin  not  to  give  his  own  report  of  this 
heroic  escape.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  his 
letter  to  Gen.  Dearborn^  dated  Fort  George^ 
June  13th,  1813. 

«  Sir— T  have  just  arrived  from  my  confinement  inr 
Canada,  with  my  men,  without  our  parole.    Our  rc-^ 
turn   happened  in  the  following  manner :  I  received 
orders  at  Burlington  heights  on  Monday  morning,  to 
,  go  to  Kingston— We  set  off  accordingly  under  the 
^care  of  a  guard  of  16  men.     I  had  with  me  28  men. 
We  all  went  on  very  quietly  till  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon^  at  whicli  time  I  gave  a  signal  to  attack  the 
guard,  which  were  stationed  in  the  following  order  : 
A  Serjeant  and  one  man  in  the  boat  with  my  men,  a 
lieutenant  and  1 3  men  in  the  boat  with  me  and  two 
officers.    At  the  signal,  my  men  ran  along  side  of  the 
boat  I  was  in.     Lisut;  Showers  ordered  them  to  fall 
astern.     I  ordered  them  on  board-»at  which  time  the 
officer  attempted  to  dkaw  his  sword.    I  seized  him  by 
the  neck  and  threw  him  on  his  back— two  of  his  naen. 
drew  their  bayonets  upon  me — I  immediately  Seizedi 
both  bayonets  at  the  same  instant,  and  threw  theni 
on  the  top  of  the  officer,  and  kept  all  down  together.; 
at  the  same  moment,  my  men  seized  the  guard,  and 
wrested  from  them  their  arms — we  then,  having  pos*; 
session  of  their  arms,  changed  our  course,  and  arrived  ! 
here  this  morning  half  after  two  o'clock,  all  Safe.-*^ 
We  have  brought  two  boats  with  us. 
^'I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  youfi 
obedient  servant,  -^ 

CYRENUS  CHAPIN.'* 
On  the  11th  July,  1813,  250  British  regulars 
crossed  the  Niagara,  below  Black  Rock,  moved' 
up  towards  that  place,  and  matched  far  above 
the  navy.yard,  before  any  alarm  was  given.    Thfr-^ 
detached  militia,  being  surprised,  retreated  upt 
the  beaeby  and  left  the  enemy  in  quite  possesBiosh^* 


a 


If  *  *•■■  »*  fi 


t'-4 


m 


-■  f- 

HilT»&T  OV  THE  VAB. 


10« 


of  the  village,  who  proceeded  to  burn  the  'sa  lors' 
barracks  and  block- bouses  at  the  great  battery  s  ^ 
they  then  proceeded  to  the  batteries,  dismounted 
and  spiked  three  12  pounders,  and  took  awaj 
three  field  pieces,  and  one  12  pounder;  they  took 
fV*om  the  store-house  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  salty 
flour,  pork,  &c.  which^  with  four  citizens,  they 
took  across  the  river.  .At  the  first  moment  of 
the  alarm.  Gen.  Porter  left  Black  Bock  for  Buf- 
foloe ;  at  which  place  he  assembled  a  body  of  ^ 
volunteers,  and  a  few  regulars,  which  with  100 
militia,  and  25  Indians,  formed  a  junction  about 
a  mile  from  the  enemy.  After  being  formed 
with  the  militia  and  Indians  on  the  flanks,  and 
the  volunteers  and  regulars  io  the  Centre,  they- 
attacked,  and  the  enemy,  after  a  contest  of  twenty 
minutes,  retreated  in  the  utmost  confusion,  to  the 
beach,  embarked  in  several  of  our  boats,  and 
pulled  for  the  opposite  shore  ;  all  the  boats  got 
off  without  Jhjui^,  except  the  last,  which  sufibred 
severely  from  our  fire^  and  iVom  appearance^ 
nearly  all  the  men  in  her  were  killed  and  wound- 
ed. The  British  lost  eight  killed  on  the  field, 
besides  those  killed  and  wounded  in  the  boats.— 
The  Americans  took  id  prisoners,  who  were  sent 
to  Batavia.  On  the  American  side,  fserjeant 
Hartman,  Jonathan  Thompson,  and  Joseph 
Wright,  were  killed,  and  five  wounded,  two  of 
which  were  Indians. 

On  the  7th  July,  the  enemy  attacked  a  guard  ,, 
a1>out  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Fort  George,  when  ^ 
LieTit,  KiOriiige,  with  39  men,  who  volunteered    / 
uuder  him,  went  to  relieve  them ;  but,  io  his  zeal 
to  t^xtcute  the   order,    he  unexpectedly  fisund 
himself  surrounded  In  the  wood  by  Indians,  wha 
opened  a  deadly  fire  upon  his  little  corps,  which 
«ut  down  18— a  few  fled^  and  the  remainder  were 


=u.-..- 


M 


» 


ts^t- 


ill 

>     '  * 

sssm 

.(».' 

Tis^ 

.''. 

it.  , 

m 

III  ■■' 


'ft 


$ 


i06 


BI8T0BT  OV  THE  WAB. 


,#' 


taken  by  the  Indians,  and  stripped,  scalped,  and 
mangled  in  a  horrid  manner.  Only  nine  of  the 
eorps  escaped. 

During  the  night  of  the  4th  July,  a  party  of 
the  enemy,  consisting,  according  to  the  British 
account,  of  41  men,  but  known  to  exceed  that 
number,  passed  over  in  boats  from  Chippewa  to 
Fort  Sohlosser,  which  was  guarded  by  only  12 
men,  whom  the  enemy  made  prisoners,  together 
'  with  three  of  the  citizens  ;  and  also  succeeded  in 
parrying  off  some  flour,  salt  pork,  whiskey,  &c. ; 
one  brass  six  pounder,  a  few  stands  of  arms, 
some  ball  cartridges,  &e.  with  whioh  they  has- 
tily retired.  The  enemy  being  reintoroed,  re- 
. turned  on  the  succeeding  CTening  to  complete  the 
plundering,  which  his  hurry  and  fears  compelled 
,iim  to  leave  unfinished  daring  his  first  visit,  but 
observing  a  guard,  he  retreated  without  attempt- 
ing to  land. 

A  body  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  about  200 
men,  besides  Indians,  attacked  the  pickets  at 
Fort  (jieorge,  on  the  17th  July,  but  were  brave- 
ly repulsed,  after  a  contest  of  one  hour.  Al- 
though this  affair  was  not  otherwise  of  much 
consequence,  it  was  in  a  degree  so,  inasmuch  as- 
it  gave  a  full  opportunity  of  testing  the  conduct 
of  the  American  officers  engaged  ;  as  it  was 
fought  in  detachments.  Col.  Scott  had  command 
of  the  troops  on  this  occasion.  (  "^n.  Boyd,  in 
bis  official  report,  highly  extolled  ihe  activity 
and  bravery  of  those  engaged,  particularly  Ma- 
jors Cummins,  and  Armstrong  ;  Captains  Yan- 
deursen,  Madison,  Birdsall,  and  Tow  son. 

A  declaration  of  war,  of  which  the  following 
i»  a  copy,  was  issued  by  the  Six  Nations  of  New- 
Turk  Indi&ns,  immediately  after  the  invasion  nf 
the  fttate  by  the  British. 


K  ■' 


■mi 


/» 


H19T01tT  OF  THE  W4S. 


ley 


DECLARATION  OF  WAR,  ? 

BY    THE   8XX   NATIONS   OF     INDIANS.  '^ 

WC)  the  Chiefs  and  Councillors  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions of  Indians,  residing  in  the  state  of  New-Yorkf 
do  hereby  proclaim  to  all  the  War  Chiefs  and  War- 
riors of  the  Six  N'ations,  that  WAR  is  declared  on 
our  part,  against  the  Provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower 
Canada. 

Therefore,  we  do  hereby  command  and  advise  all 
the  War  Chiefs  to  call  torth  immediately  the  War- 
riors under  them,  an<l  put  them  in  motion,  lo  protect 
their  rights  and  liberties,  which  our  brethren,  the 
Aaiericans,  are  now  defending. 

(Signed.)  By  the  Grand  Councillora, 

Majoi**<ieneral  Dearborn  had  been  tor  some 
time  in  a  state  of  ill  health.  On  the  i5th  July 
he  was  superceded  1:1  the  command  of  (he  army 
on  the  Niagara  Froulier  ;  and  was  «uccei*ded  bj 
Gen.  Boyd,  the  Second  in  command.  On  this 
or'cuslon  the  general  received  a  ver^  aflTectionate 
address  from  general  BO^d,  and  the  other  oiiitfcrs 
serving  at  Port  George.  As,  however,  the  cause 
of  the  gf^neral's  dismissal  was  the  object  of  va- 
rious conjecture,  the  following  extract  from  the 
g^^neral  order,  issued  on  the  occasion,  will  give 
to  the  reader  all  the  satisfaction  in  our  power  to 
communieate. 

<*  The  major-general  commanding,  having  receiv- 
ed orders  from  the  secretary  of  war,  to  retire  from 
the  command  of  the  army  until  his  health  shall  be  re- 
established, and  until  further  orders — the  command 
devolves  on  Brigadier  General  Boyd.  Were  the 
major-general  permitted  to  consult  his  own  feelings^ 
no  consideration  oould  induce  him  to  leave  the  army 
at  this  important  crisis ;  but  the  first  duty  of  a  soldier 
^6  to  obey  his  superiors." 

About  the  15th  or  16th  of  July*  two  private 
ftroied  boatsy  eaeh  earrying  a  six  or  8  jpouoder# 


'^ 


■^- 


# 


iM 


niSTORT  01  Tin  WAR. 


■v^N 


Ml* 


4 


I 


IS 

I 
■*( 

'0 

■  w 


1 


t 


and  50  meoy  sailed  from  Saeket's  Harbour^  to 
eruise  in  the  St.  Lawrence.*  On  Monday,  the 
Ifithy  they  fell  in  with  a  gun-boat,  canning  a 
6  pound  caiTonade*  eonvoying  15  of  the  enemy's 
batteauXy  captured  (hem  without  the  loss  of  a 
inan,  and  brought  them  into  Cranberry  Creek, 
about  49  miles  above  Ogdensburgh.  The  bat- 
J  teaux  had  on  board  230  barrels  of  pork,  300  bags 
oT  pilot  bre^^.d,  ammunitioB.  &c.  bound  from  Mon- 
treal! to  Kingston.  On  Tuesday  morning,  S  of  the 
enemy*8  gun-boats,  with  250  soldiers  from  Pres- 
cot,  ari'ived  off  the  ereek,  and  landed  their  men, 
The  priyateersraen  had  hardly  time  to  eonstruct 
a  breast-work  of  their  hags  of  pilot  bread,  be- 
fore they  were  atlacked  by  200  of  the  enemy ; 
and  strange  to  tell,  after  an  obstinate  engage- 
ment, in  which  from  40  to  60  of  the  enemy  were 
killed,  his  fottse  retreated  precipitately  to  their 
boats,  except  15,  who  took  to  the  woods,  and 
were  pursued.  The  Ameiican  loss  was  trifling, 
_  though  it  is  not  specified.  Sixty-seven  British 
prisoners,  captured  in  the  batteaux  and  gun-boat^ 
arrived  at  Watertown  on  Tuesday  evening. 

The  employment  of  Indians  by  the  enemy 
tendered  it  absolutely  necessary  to  attach  the 
friendly  Indians  to  the  army  of  the  U;  States. 
On  this  occasion  there  was  an  opportunity  of 
proving  that  the  savage  can  abstain  from  those 
barbarous  acts*  which  the  enemy  must  have  en- 
couraged, or  certainly  did  not  attempts  to  pre- 
*fent. 

A  body  of  volunteers  and  Indians,  under  com- 
mand of  Major  Chapin,  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
enemy,  near  Fort  George,  on  the  i7th  August, 
In  which  the  latter  was  defeated,  and  complete- 
ly routed.  The  American  Indians  captured  le 
4>f  the  British  Indians^  and  four  whites.    The 


'•W 


*l 


.^■-  ■■'.- 


-^, 


^     B|8T<MIT  eF  THB  WAB. 


109 


iBilianSy  iQ  a  eouncil  held  with  them  pveviom  to 
this  affair,  coveatiDted  not  to  Boalp  or  miieder. 
Their  bravery  in  battle  ¥ra»  as  eonspicuous  i^ 
their  humanity  to  $he  vanquished  ;>  no  insult  wat 
offered  even  to  the  dead. 

At  d^  break  on  the  34th  August,  the  enemjy 
with  his  whole  foroe»  0Ommandeaby  Sir  George 
'Prevosty  drove  hi  all  the  Amerioan  pickets  aft 
Fort  George.  A  skirmish  ensued  in  the  vil- 
lage, with  little  efl^ot,  when  the  enemy  retired* 
leaying  Id  of  his  men  dead  on  the  field,. and  a 
few  prisoners,  ineluding  a  captain  of  the  49tb. 
^h6  Americans  lost  two  men  Killed^  and  aibw 
Inrounded.    • 

The  pulh  of  beiifg  compelled  to  relate  the  bar- 
barity of  a  fitthkiss  enemy,  on  almost  every  oc« 
oasion  where  l^^4powier,  is^  pleasingly miti- 
gated, by  ^6  iMHR^  which  the  acts  of  Ameri- 
can soldiers  ai^^men  produce.    Among  the 
.^any,  too  numerous  for  reculiection  or^etatl, 
Hhe  following  will  be  read  with  satisfaction  : 
;    On  thcrJ^  st  Septemb«^ a  company  of  volun- 
ieers,  mpMc^pally  of  the  village  of  Mffaloe,  em- 
jbiitkc^fbr  Sugar  Iioaf,  (ahout  14i  miles  from 
iFort  SHe,).  under  command  of  Major  Chapin* 
with  iin  ihteutiou  to^silrprise  attd  oa{»ture  a  Brl- 
jlish  gd&rd,  commanded  by  Col.  Warren.    The 
'<;olonel  had  anticipated    the  attack^   and  had 
^Mritbdrawn    himself  and  guard  froin  the^  lal^ 
faome  miles,  into  the  ilfterior  of  the  country .-~ 
Thepikrty  took  several  prisoners,  who  were  im- 
^Inediatety  paroled;  and  54t  barrels  of  fiour,  and 
.a  bale  of  blankets,  all  of  wbieh  was  the  proper- 
ty of  government.    There  were  sevisral  huiidred 
liarrels  of  flour  at  the  mills,  but  there  being  no 
|H*oof  of  Its  being  public  property,  it  was  not  ta- 
ken.   The  eoiidttoiJ»^ll^or  Glia]piQt  in  ftit  liit. 


ffr' 


;>  'f/ 


11(9 


BIS  TORT  6V  TBB  WAB. 


M-'- 


ineursions  into  the  enemy's  territery»  hat  Iw^eo 
»trictly  honeurable ;  oare folly  distiiigitiiliiiig  be- 
t<ween  friends  and  enemies ;  justly. diseriminattng 
betiveen  publie  and  private  property. 

The  American  fleet,  under  command  of  Com- 
modore Chauneey«  went  out  of  the  imier  har- 
bour f»f  Sachet's  Harbour,  the  19th  July,  18189 
und  sailed  soon  afterward.  The  fleet  stretched 
over  for  the  enemy's  shore,  ^nd  from  thence 
stood  up  the  lake,  and  arrived  off*  Niagara,  in 
the  evening  of  the  27th  July*  Com.  Chaun<  ey 
being  informed  that  the  enemy  had  a  eonsider- 
nble  deposit  of  provisions  and  stores  at  -.  BurHng- 
ton-bay,  had  determined  to  attempt  their  destrue- 
tion.  Having  taken  on  board  SdO  infantry,  the 
fleet  proeeedetl  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  but  ow- 
ing to  light  winds  and  ealms||^j|^  not  arrive  to 
an  anchorage  before  the  evcii||p[^of  the  :e9th.— 
Two  parties  were  sent  on  shoie^  who  took  some 
"f^f  tl#  inhabitants,  from  whom  they  learned^ 
that  the  enemy  was  lately  reinforced,  and  tluit 
lie  had  fropi  600  to  8id  regulars.  i|Pie  troops 
vrere,  howeirer,  landed  the  next  momngi  ^^(^* 
ther  with  sonie  marines  and  sailors  $  but,  mi  re- 
«onnoitering  the  enemy's  position,  he  wat'  found 
posted  upon  a  peninsula  of  high  ground,  strong- 
ly intrenched,  and  his  camp  defended  by  about 
8  pieces  of  cannon.  It  was  judged  inexpedient 
to  attack  him  with  avforce  searoely  half  his 
numbers,  and  without  artillery.  The  men 
vere  re-embarited  in  the  course  of  the  after- 
noon ;  and  the  fleet  weighed  in  the  evening, 
and  stood  for  York,  in  the  harbour  of  which 
place  it  anchored  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  On 
the  3ist,  the  schooners  sailed  into  the  '^upper 
harbour ;  the  marines  and  soldiers^  under  the 
.command  of  Colonel  %iott>  kuded  without  op- 


po 


ot 
or 


.4 


-^, 


Ill 


lich 
On 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAB.- 


Hi 


po»l<ion»  (upwards  of  400  men  of  the  eiiomy  hav- 
ing left  York  for  the  head  of  the  lake»  two  days 
previous  to  the  disembarkation.)  Several '  huii^ 
dred  barrels  of  flour  and  provisions  were  found 
ill  the  publie  store- house ;  also  five  pieces  of  can- 
Boih  li  boats,  and  a  quantity  of  shot»  shells,  and 
other  stores ;  all  of  whieh  were  either  destroyed 
ov  taken  away-— a  few  prisoners  were  taken* 
The  troops  were  re-embarked  on  the  1st  August^ 
having  previously  burned  the  barraeks,  and  pub- 
lio^tore-houses — the  expedition  arrived  at  Ni^ 
agaraon  the  Sd, 

On  the  7th  August,  at  day-light.  Commodore 
Ghauneey  discovered  the  enemy,  consisting  of 
two  ships,  two  brigs,  and  two  large  sohootiers,  oa 
Lake  Ontario.  He  immediately  weighed  anohor* 
and  manceuvred  to  gain  the  wind.  Both  fleets 
ooQtinued  to  manoeuTre  for  several  hours,  at  a 
distaaoo  from  each  other  of  about  five,  or  six 
miles.  Commodore  Chauneey  endeavouring  in  vaia 
to  bring  the  enemy  to  action.  Toward  night  iti 
beeame  quite  calm,  during  which  time  the  Com- 
modore endeavoured  to  reach  the  enemy  by 
sweeps,  but  without  success.  WimH  during  the 
night  was  very  squally.  At  day-light,  on  the 
Sth,  discovered  that  two  of  the  schooners,  the 
Ilamihon  and  Scourge,  mounting  together  iO 
guns,  had  foundered,  and  every  soul  on  board 
them,  except  16,  perished.  This  accident  gave 
the  enemy  a  deeided  advantage  ;  yet  the  Commo- 
dore offered  him  battle,  which  was  declined.-^ 
In  the  afternoon  the  wind  fell  away,  and  the 
Commodore  again  endeavoured  te  reach  the  ene- 
my by  means  of  his  sweeps,  but  was  again  un- 
suce^ful.  During  the  afternoon,  the  encmyt 
taking  advantage  of  a  wind  wliioh  sprang,  up, 
and  brought  him^  to  wiodvardy  endeavoured  to 


f'; 


V\')!.- '?"'! 


-■**■, 


fA 


^rl 


riff. 


■0 

'I- 


1 
I 


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'1*11' 

P 


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'« 


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1 

-I* 

I 


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ilS 


IHSTOBT  OF  TWB  WAR.I*^ 


etit  off*  the  Araerioaii  t^booner,  but  ibe^*  Were 
able  to  c^nre  into  their  slatioii  before'  he  eoiil4 
reaeb  them.  Night  coming  on«  and  tlie  ireather^ 
as  on  the  former  nif^t,  squall jy  the  Commo«> 
dore,  to  gtinrd  against  fuplher  aeeident^  as  well 
as  to  ttlTord  some  rest  to  his  meny  Vfho  bail  beea 
40  hoars  at  quarters>  ran  in  towards  Niagara» 
and  aneliored  outside  the  bar.  Here  he  veeelveA 
on  board,  and  distributed  in  different  Tessek,  ISO 
men,  to  aid  in  boarding,  in  ease  he  eould  elote 
vith  the  enemj.  'fl  v 

Soon  after  dayJight  on  the  Othy  he  diseovered 
the  enemy,  weighed  anchor,  and  litoed  after  him* 
I'he  winds  were  light  and  variablei  and  before 
noon  quite  calm ;  at  5  P.  Af .  the  wind  sprang  u|i» 
pursued  the  probable  eourse  of  the  enemy  duriiig 
the  night.  In  the  morniiig  of  the  lOth*  diieeT^ 
ered  the  enemy  and*  gftve  %tm  ehase  f  befbre  the 
wind  ehanged,  brought  the  enemy,  to  wiadward^ 
by  v^bieh  he  was  again  enabled  to  avmd  an  ae» 
^ion.  Both  fleets  eontinued  manmuvring  untU 
.11,  when  a  firing  commeneed  between  bothfleets» 
The  Wind  favoured  the  enemy,  and  enabled  liim 
to  effect  one  purpose  of  all  his  long  and  oowai^ly 
fnanmuvringf.  by  separating  two  vessels  from 
the  remaiiMer  of  the  squadron^  and  capturing 
the  Grolvler  and  Julia.  . 

On  the  morning  of  the  11  th,  the  Commodore 
!^t  sight  of  the  enemy,  but  he  still  refused  bato 
Je,  notwithstanding  his  increased  ad  vantage^  1^ 
the  eaptureof  two  vessels,  and  a  wiml  IbvouraUe 
to  him^  A  gale  coming  on,  CommeAore  €>haun« 
eey  returned  to  Socket's  Harbour^  to  obtain  pro- 
Vision^,  of  whioh  bis  sh^  was  iieiirly^^esti« 
<ute.    '  ^  .  ii^}    ... 

Oathc  Tth  September,  the  enemy's "squtidroiif 
undercomnimdofCaptaja  Teo^  was  di^eofeMd 


^■, 


m^ 


HTBTOKT  bV  T^E   WAV.      ^ 


IIB 


'Mb 

\m4 


eTose  in  witti  the  Niagara  river.  Commodore 
CtiHunoe^'^  fleet  iiomediately  weighed  anchor^ 
and  prepared  for  action.  The  eneio^  sailed  to 
the  northward ;  the  Commodore  in  pursuit.-^ 
The  pursuit  was  continued  all  round  the  lake« 
Until  the  morning  of  the  12th,  when  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  getting  into  Amherst-bay.  During 
the  ehase.  there  was  a  running  fight  off  Genes- 
see  rivery  which  eontinued  three  and  a  half  hours; 
the  enem^  suflTtTcd  much ;  the  Americans  did 
not  looso  a  man. 

Commodore  Chauneey  continued  to  blockade 
the  enemy  in  Amherst- bay 9  until  the  17th  Sep^ 
tember*  when  a  heavy  wind  from  the  westward 
favounpd  his  escape  into  Kingston  ;  and  the  Ame- 
rican fleet  returned  to  Sacket^s  Harbour.  Af- 
ter a  few  boars  delay  at  Sacket's  Harbour,  Com<* 
iriodore  Chaunoey  sailed  again  for  Niagara^ 
#here  he  arrived  on  the  24th.  On  the  l9th  he 
saw  the  enemy  off  the  False  Ducks,  but  took  no 
notice  of  him,  in  hope  that  he  might  follow  the 
Commodore  up  the  lake.  ^ 

'  On  the  26th  September,  Commodore  Chann- 
eey  learned  that  the  enemy's  fleet  wi^s  in  TbrK^ 
b^y ;  he  prepared  to-  weighs  but  was  preventeil 
firom  getting  out  of  the  river  before  the  evening 
of  the  27th.  On  the  28tb  the  enemy  was  dis- 
covered  under  way  in  York-bay.  The  Ameri- 
eans  formed  a  line  fbr  battle,  and  run  down  for 
the  enemy's  centre.  The  enemy  endeavoured  to 
avoid  an  action.  At  10  minutes  past  12,  the 
enemy,  in  order  to  save  his  two  rear  vessels,^ 
was  compelled  Co  tack  in  succession,  beginning 
^t  his  van,  when  he  hoisted  bis  colours,  and  com- 
menoed  a  fire  on*  Commodore  Chaunoey's  flag* 
thip.  the  GeneralPikCy  for  the  purpose  of  co^ 
INDring  his  r«ar^  and  attacking  the  Americail 


-»  -       ■»  _  r 


■4 


114 


#  BISTORT  OT  THB  WAB. 


n»  '-'";. 


m 


^■<ii. 


rear  as  he  passed  to  leeward.  By  a  happy  ma- 
nceuvre^  Commodore  Chauneey  defeated  this  part 
of  the  adversary's  plan,  when  the  latter  bore 
away.  The  Ameriean  ships*  however,  closed  so 
near  as  to  bring  their  guns  to  bear ;  and  in  20 
KDinutesy  the  main  and  mizen  top-masts,  and 
main-yard  of  the  Wolf  were  shot  away.  This 
ship  immediately  put  before  the  wind,  and  set  all 
sail  upon  his  main-mast ;  and,  by  keeping  dead 
before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to  escape.  The 
chase  was  contijiued  until  near  3  P.  M.  during 
which  time  the  Commodore's  ship  kept  within 
point  blank  shot  of  the  enemy,  and  sustdned  the 
whol^  of  his  fire,  during  the  chase.  -^ 

'  At  15  minutes  past  three,  the  Commodere  was 
obliged  to  give  up  the  chase :  his  ship  was  mak- 
ing water  so  fast,  that  it  required  all  his  pumps 
to  keep  her  clear ;  and  others  of  his  vessels  were 
much  damaged.  The  enemy's  fleet  was  within 
six  miles  of  the  head  of  the  lake,  wfierey  owing 
to  the  stiffness  of  the  gale,  both  fleet»  might  go 
eashore  at  a  place  in  possession  of  the  enemy.-— 
The  Commodore,  fherefore,  thought  proper  to 
proceed  to  Niagara.  The  General  Pike  suffer- 
ed a  considerable  loss  of  men,  among  whom 
were  22  killed  or  wounded,  by  the  bursting  of  a 
'gun.  On  the  1st  October,  the  Commodore  sail- 
ed again  from  Niagara,  taking  under  oonvoy  se- 
veral boats,  with  troops  for  Sachet's  Harbour. 
Having  convoyed  these  as  far  as  it  was  deemed 
necessary  for  their  safety,  he  left  them  to  pro- 
eeed  coastwise;  and  he  bent  his  course  in  search 
of  the  enemy. 

On  the  2d  October,  at  10  A.  M.  the  enemy 
M'as  discovered  steering  a  eovrse  for  Niagara. 
Commodore  Chauneey  ordered  a  chase— 'the  en- 
emy avoided  an  engagenent  as  u^^VjiNI  VBs 


■Mf\ 


-m 


BI8T0BT  OF  tVM  WAB. 


±ii 


far  ahead  by  sun-down.  On  the  morning  of  the 
Sdf  the  enemy  was  discovered  ai  anchor  close  in 
with  the  landy  between  Twelve  and  Twenty  mile 
creeks,  but  made  sail*  on  discovering  the  Arneri- 
oan  fleet.  The  chase  continued  all  day  :  the  en- 
emy could  barely  be  made  out  from  the  mast- 
head by  sun-down.  At  daylight,  on  the  4tb, 
he  could  not  be  seen.  The  Commodore,  sus- 
pecting that  the  enemy,  availing  himself  of  a 
very  dark  night,  had  shaped  bis  course  for 
Kingston,  directed  his  course  for  the  Oucks.-^ 
At  3  P.  M.  the  Commodore  discovered  7  sail 
near  the  False  Ducks,  gave  chase,  ami  at  4 
o'clock,  discovered  them  to  be  sloops  and  schoon^ 
ers.  At  6  P.  M.  gained  considerably  on  them^ 
which  the  enemy  perceiving,  he  took  the  men 
out  of  a  slow  sailing  gun-boat,  and  then  burned 
her  to  prevent  her  capture.  At  sun-down,  when^ 
opposite  the  Real  Ducks,  the  Hamilton,  (late 
Growler,)  Confianoe,  (late  Julia,)  and  Mary- 
Anne,  struck  their  colours,  and  were  taken  pos- 
session of.  The  Drummond  soon>  after  s^ruok 
to  the  Sylph ;  and  on  the  following  morning,  the 
Sylph  took  possession  of  the  Lady  Guree.  But 
one  of  the  enemy's-  vessels,  a  small  schooner,  es- 
caped, and  she  owed  her  safety  to  the  darkness 
of  the  night.  ^  ^ 

Commodore  Chaanoey  proceeded  to  Saoket^s. 
Harbour  with  his  prizes.  The  oaptured  vessels 
inounted  from,  one  to  three  guns  eaoh,  and  were 
returning  with  troops  from  the  head  of  the  lake.. 
The  following  are  the  number  and  description 
of  troops  of  the  enemy  made  prisoners  on  this 
occasion,  viz.  1  major,  1  captain,  3  subalterns^ 
i  surgeon,  10  sergeants,  4  drummers,  202  rank 
and  file,  of  De .  Watte  vile's  regiment;  1  lieu- 
tenaotf  2  ipaster's  mates^  $dk  seamen  and  ma.-^ 


»5!' 


!.f; 


';'!' 


■••«'.  >., 


m 


m 


U 


u 


■r".j 


'■:*M., 


IV;^-^^'- 


■'(J 


4 


/ 


■;;,a 


a* 

■w. 

.,4«( 
A' 


li 


'1 


116 


BVITOmT  OV  TRl  WAV. 


Vines  of  the  royal  navj ;  anil  four  sailing- mn iter* 
of  llie  provincial  navy.  The  enemy*H  tM|iiH«li'on 
WHH  sern  going  into  Kingston  lh«^  same  evening. 

It  was  eause  ofniueh  iturprise  that  the  llri- 
iish  were  permit  ted  to  ohiain  an  aseendancy  as 
to  actual  force  on  tlie  lakes  (.'hamplain«  Oniiir'O* 
and  £rie  ;  if  they  did  not  make  ail  tlie  use  of 
their  numerical  superioi'lty  which  they  ought  to 
have  hmde,  it  must  remain  for  themselves  to 
explhin.  Commodore  Yeo  w\\»  brave,  and  an 
experienced  offii^er.  His  ap|iarently  oowardly 
conduct  on  Lake  OntaritN  must  have  bvien  ttie 
result  of  his  private  instructions.  It  must  be 
eonfessedy  tliat  this  surmise  is  ill  suppoi'tcd  when 
eontrasted  with  the  policy  of  the  British  oom* 
manders  on  lakes  Champlain  and  Krie.  On 
both  these  lakes,  the  enemy  reckcmed  on  suoeess* 
as  what  roust  certainly  result  from  his  supeiior 
taetios,  supported  by  a  supenor  force.  He  did 
tiy  his  strength  and  talents  against  the  Yan- 
kees, and  with  his  ships  and  invincibility,  hand* 
ed  over  to  the  Yankees,  all  the  laurels  which 
were  gleaned  from  every  other  naval  power .-~ 
The  American  war,  on  the  sea  and  the  takes, has 
disgraced^  degraded,  and  humbled  the  proud 
mistress  of  the  deep,  and  raised  the  aspiring, 
and  noble  minded  American  to  a  height,  whi<'h 
every  nation  in  the  world,  except  England,  has 
witnessed  with  a  pleasure  of  enthusiasm,  that 
speaks  a  language  to  the  Briton,  not  equivocal^ 
but  galling,  dreadful,  ominous.  ^ 

For  some  time,  the  enemy  assumed,  and  In 
fact,  held  the  command  of  Ijakc  Erie.  His 
fieet  was  commanded  by  an  officer  of  exper!enoe» 
Who  tauntingly  boasted  of  his  superiority .-<» 
Commodore  Oliver  H.  Perry  was  appoinfted  ta 
Uk%  cottuuuid  of  th«  AflMTicaA  fleet.    The  ftk 


I* 


1/         V 


'^. 


mrron  tm  Tim  wab. 


iir 


Mwinnf  extract  of  a  letter  from  him  to  tbe  seere* 
tarj'  of  the  navy,  wai  dated  4tli  August,  and  an- 
nouncert  his  indention  ofmeelingthe  enemy. 

**  1  have  great  pleasure  in  informing  you,  that  I 
haye  succeeded  in  getting  o?cr  the  bar,  the  U.  S. 
Teasels,  the  Lawrence,  Niagara,  Caledonia,  Ariel, 
Scorpion,  Somers,  Tigress,  and  Porcupine.  The 
enemy  have  been  in  sight  all  day,  and  are  now  about 
four  leagues  from  us.  We  shall  sail  in  pursuit  of 
them  at  three  to-morrow  morning." 

The  following  offloial  letters  from,  the  Com« 
Bfiodorot  are  proofi  of  the  modesty,  as  the  result 
of  the  engagement  was,  of  the  undaunted  hero« 
hm  and  naval  skill  of  this  great  eonraiander. 

Co/iy  qf  it  letter /i^om  Commodore  Ferry  to  the  8ec» 
retory  qf  the  Mivy, 

^  W.  S.  brig  Niagara,  off  the  Western 

Sisters,  Head  of  Lake  Erie,  SeplU 
10,  1813,4  P.M. 
**  Sir,— It  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  give  to  the 
arais  of  the  United  States,  a  signal  victory  over  their 
enemies  on  this  lake.  The  British  squadron,  con- 
sisting of  two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  schooner,  and  ono 
tloop,  have  tbiA  moment  surrendered  to  the  force 
Uinder  my  command,  after  a  sharp  conflict.  1  havo 
l^e  honour  to  be,  &c* 


»* 


itoD.  W.  Jipnea,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


O.  H.  PERRY. 


f 


Cojty  qf  a  letter  from  Com,  Perry  to  the   Seeretari^ 

qf  the  Alavy. 

X^  U.  S.  schooner,  Ariel,  Put-iurBay,  Idth 

^  Sept.  1813. 

Sir,«-Ii|  mj  last  I  informed  you  that  we  had  cap* 
ture^  the  enemy's  C'^et  on  this  lake.  I  have  now 
the  honour  tb  give  you  the  most  important  particulars 
of  the  action.  On  the  morning  of  the  1 0th  inst.  at 
sun-riie  they    Vref^    discovered  from  P^t-in-Bay, 


AiT-'i 


vAj  .<.'x; 


118 


tmiSTOST  OV  TBS 


M 


\m 


when  I  lajr  at  anchor  with  the  squadron  under  mf 
command.  We  got  under  way,  the  wind  li||;ht  at  Sk 
W.  and  stood  tor  them.  At  i  Q  a.  m.  the  wind  haul- 
ed to  S.  £.  and  brought  us  to  windward  ;  formed 
the  line  and  bore  up.  At  15  minntes  before  13,  the 
enemy  commenced  firing  ,  at  fi^ve  minutes  before  1 3| 
th^  action  commenced  on  our  part.  Finding  their 
fire  very  destructive)  owing  to  their  long  guns,  arid 
its  b^ing  mostly  directed  at  the  Lawrence,  1  made 
s'ailf  and  directed  the  other  vessels  to  follow,  for 
the  purpose  of  closing  with  the  enemy.  £ver^ 
braee  ahd  bowline  being  soon  shot  away,  she  became 
unmanageable,  notwithstanding  the  great  exertions 
•f  the  sailing-master.  In  this  situation  she  sustain- 
ed the  action  upwards  of  two  hours,  within  cannister 
distance,  until  every  gun  wa»  rendered  useless,  and 
the  greater  part  of  her  crew  either  killed  or  wound- 
ed. Finding  she  could  no  longer  aniiojr  the  enemiy» 
I  left  her  in  charge  of  Lieut.  Yarnell,  who,  i  was 
Convinced  from  the  bravery  already  displayed  by 
him,  would  do  what  would  comport  with,the  honc^ur 
bf  the  flag.  At  half  past  two,  the  wind  springing  upi 
Capt.  Elliot  was  enabled  to  bring  his  vessel,  the  Ni^ 
agara,  gallantly  into  close  action ;  I  immediately 
went  on  board  of  her,  when  he  anticipated  my  wishi 
by  volunteering  to  bring  the  schooners,  which  had 
been  kept  astern  by  the  tightness  of  the  wind,  into 
close  action.  It  was  with  unspeakable  pai^,  that  I 
saw,  soon  after  I  got  on  board  the  Niagara,  the  flag 
ofihe  Lawrence  come  down«  although  I  was  per* 
fectly  sensible,  that  she  had  been  defended  to  the 
last,  and  that  to  have  continued  to  make  a  show  of 
resistance,  would  have  been  a  wanton  sacrifice  of 
the  remains'  of  her  brave  crew.  But  the  enemy 
was  not  able  to  take  possession  of  her,  and  circumstan- 
ces soon  permitted  her  flag  again  to  be  hoisted.  At 
4j5  minutes  past  two,  the  signal  Was  made  for  «  close 
action."  The  Niagara  being  very  little  injured,  I 
determined  to  pass  through  the  enemy's  line,  bore 
up  and  passed  ahead  of  their  two  ships  and»a  brig  5 


•  ■■'■; 


BIBTOHT  OV  THE  VTKtU 


il9 


giving  a  raking  fire  to  them  ftom  the  starboard  giiriii 
and  to  a  large,  schooner  and  stoop,  from  the  larboard 
side,  at  half  pistol-shot  distance^  The  smaller  ves- 
sels.«t  this  time,  having  got  within  grape  and  cannis- 
ter  distance,  under  the  direction  of  Capt«  Elliot,  and 
keepiiig  up  u  well  directed  fire,  tiie  two  ships,  a  brig, 
and  hi  schooner  surrendered  ;  a  schoouer  and  sloop 
making  a  vain  attempt  to  escape.  .^ 


»« 


Extract  of  a  let  ter  from  Commodore  Perry, 

U.  S.  schooner  x\riel,  Put*in-ELair«   13th 
1^  September,  1813. 

*'«  I  also  beg  your  instructions  respecting  the. 
vtrounded.  I  am  satisfied,  Sir,  that  whatever  steps  I 
might  take,  governed  by  humanity,  would  meet  your 
arpprobation.  Under  this  impression,  (  have  taken 
Upon  myself  <o  promis<  Capt.  Barcliiy,  who  is  very 
dangerously  wounded,  that  h<  shall  be  landed  as  ntur 
Lake  Ontiirio  as  possible,  and  I  had  no  ,dQUbA  ycu 

Hfould  allow  me  to  parole  bim. 

,j.  ■  ■• 

•'  The  following  is  the  stHtement  of  the  Tt-spt'ct^^ 
jye  rorees  oflhe  eoniendiiigfleels. 

ti    Statement  of  the  force  qfthe  British  squadron, 

'*«  Ship  Detroit,  19  guns — I  on  pivot,  and 

'3  2  howitzers* 

4'  Ship  Queen  Charlotte, 
->  Schr.  Lady  Prevost, 

■   Brig  Hunter, 

^  Sloop  Little  Belt, 

1^  Schr.  Chippewa, 

y      '  ,  63  guns. 

^|llb/«'.— -The  Detroit  was  a  new  ship,  very  strongly 
built,  and  mounted  long  24*8,  18's,  and  I2*s. 

Statement  qfthe  force  qfthe  UJtfjd  States*  squadron* 

Brig  Lawrence,  So  guns.    . 

/r  Niagara,  20  do. 

Caledoniat  3  do.  ■*^i%^- 


irdo. 

1  do. 

J  3  do. 

1  do. 

10  do. 

V 

%f 

3  do., 

1  do. 

and  two  swivels. 

^«i 

L 


if 

m 

~>r    'a: 


?•■  II 


^^^ 

■  Mm 

mm 


111 

hi. 


^«o 


BI8T0ST  eS  THB  iNlll. 


-';'•« 


Schr.  J^rMi    ^^^-  *^'  ^'  '-* -^  dWl^«rsf  oar Ijr  in  the 


1i    it-iP  » 


if.-'c 


fi  aodoiri.} 


..5 


Somersy   '  nu-M  '.  m  i2  do.. and  AjbwItoIs*  <i4 
jStoop  TrippCf    -yx,;ju^:  ;il<lo» 
fSchr.  XigresS)     ^^'^         1  do.        v 

Porcupine)  1  do.  , 

^'  54  ■^'■■^  ■'        •-.  /.i.*^") 

'  Th(iioss>'  on  tbepart  of  tire  Amerieaiis/thiB  ll^ 
follows  J  - 

[Xilied.  Wounded:  Msaink* 


t''   •'  «^  r 


'  il-j- 


^^»' l]kW^eri(d^,          •  i% 

61- 

'  "'U'    ^^ 

♦•^:>^J^ikgara,       •^-^  'a*^. 

'25 

'  *  '   2^  '^''^^  '*'' 

-^»  ^  taledoniai     u>*'f--      ^ 

-^n!3. 

^*     ^^Soniersi 

2 

'2"  ■•■<'-!•■■' 

i&tfJ  Arier,:>                     2 

8 

•        lU^r^.,.i1 

Trippc, 

2 

■    2.;.,^  ■■f. 

^H?-6corpion}i:*ii;  ;,||        2 

^  ^  •?  -^>;. 

4^'|fi  ..i»«itn,.    .    ■           ••    .  -^ 

•'•T» 

27 


96 


1Q3 


TifFO  days  previous  to  the  action>  57  men  upfit  ftt' 
^y^tj  Ji,n  the  small  v.ess^ls.  ,  '      /  ^ 

i  While  giving  the  Cofnniodqre'^  pyft^i,  ^0Q^if^nt 
«f^tl|i9  ti'tiouy  we  cannot  omit  his  lacpnia'  ittter 
to  General  .Harrison.  >  It^  hasi  hem  ^^all^d*  li^f  a 
writep,  ««Ce8arean^  brevity.?..  Cies»r  sa^dM  ;ye- 
ni,  vidi,  vvici,"  but-Perpy  did  jiiot  eoni]ue4*;>in«re- 
1^  by  showing  himselC^o  an  enemy » w4io>  Ti?ekCf;- 
Jng^  00  his  own  knowa  superiority  of  4ori'6y  rito 
presumed  superiority  in  tactiosy  calculate  iHwUb 
great  certainty^  on  conquering  tjiie  Yankc^iir.- 
/fhe  battle  was ,  hard  fought*  and  the  los«{  on 
both  sides  very  great.  Ferry  might  haVe  saidi 
<«  vcniyici,'^  or  as  he  would'transTate'the  noida 
of  t)\e  Roman  general — <«  we  m»t  thcv«noiiiy«^n<l 
ihey  ape ouyis  f'  biK the  addiMon  of  r^ ? ij^i*' ii(i|gltt 


•v 


/^'  ;■ 


■  ;  #. 


HI  STOUT  OF  van  V4R* 


*2| 


f^Tourthe 0|iiaioQ  |li«t he  won  the  battle  fr6m 
tiie  tiiHidity  or  inaetifitjf  q€  the  enemj*  vrhicli 
wrQul4  he  depriviag  the  hriiye  Perrjr  and  his 
f!ir<$iK  of  mare  than  half  their  merit. 

'  fit  J  i     "  V»  S, ^r|g  Niagara)  off  the  Western 

Sister,  head  uf  Lake  Erie,  Sept   iQtb, 
^1         ,  1813, 4  P.  M 

^<(fUear  Gene?  al-f*  We  have  met  the  enemy-i-and 
tney  are  ours.  Two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  schooner, 
and  cue  sU|op.  YourS)  with  great  respect  and  es« 
teein;  '  r-T        OH.  PERRY." 

Hitherto/iY®  liaye  seen  the  enemy  beaten  ship 
to  ship,  biit  DoW  we  were  to  witness  them  ileei 
to  fleet ;  and  a  more  decisive  or  splendid  vieto^ 
T}f  was  never  achieved.  <*  From  the  best  infor« 
tniitfon,**  says  the  heroie  Peri7  in  a  letter  to 
Genet^l  H:ai*r|son, «  ^e  have  more  prisoners  than 
imp  have  men  on  boai*d  our  vessels.**  ^ 

Compared  with  this,  all  former  ^aval  vieto^ 
Hen  lose  their  splendour ;  even  the  great  Nel- 
son, were  he  alfve»  must  rank  below  Perry.*-^ 
Sfelsw  never  eaptured  an  entire  fleet ;  Perry 
has,  and  that  with  a  fleet  inferior  in  %ize,  weiglit 
^f  meilaH  «nd  number  of  meaw 
-IHie  British  fleet  was  eommamled  by  Confr* 
fiareliiiy,  tm  oflleer  of  great  merit,  and  mueh  loved 
by  those  under  bis  eonimand.  At  a  publie  dH* 
2ier  given  tothis  oflleer  at  Terrebone^  in  Canaday 
lie  gave  a  toast,  whiefa,  while  it  proves  the  ean* 
dour  of  the  Commodore  who  gave  it « is  an  indis<* 
putable  proof  of  the  merit  of  him  whose  name 
was  the  sulig|eet  of  lt»  The  toast  was  in  the  fol- 
lowing words  :  «<  Commodore  Perry,  the  galfant 
and  generous  enemy.** 

Soon  ftfler  the  vd^tory  on  Lake  Erie,  the  Pre- 
sident of  the  iJitited  States  apiminted  tHiver  SL 
Perry^  to  the  Cftnt  of  Captain  m  tlie  navy. 


m 


K 


i-  -fi 


..*■ 


ifu 


BiftoBT  09  ^mn  ^ikB* 


'^V-.y.,- 


;\,.,. 


Bi; 


^^^  vv 


■'V-  C''/'/- 

'a 

."■■>• 

'i-f; 


•f: 

fi 


r  Tfato  ComnMMlore  wai  preMitted  with  the  firei^ 
dom  of  the  cities  of  New-  ¥ork  add  Albany. 

The  thanks  of  Congress  ;  were  voted  to  the 
Comniodore,  his  officers,  seamen  ami  tiKkriaer^ 
and  medals  was  preseilted  to  him  und  his  offi- 
cers. - '  '  ..'^!!'  : 

i  The  thanks  of  the  Sebaie  of  Peimsylvfiniftt 
^ith  medals*  were  also  voted  to  ibe  Conimod<Hi;r| 
Mid  those  brave  men  who  Kcryed  un^er  him.  I 
i  Am<ing  the  many  testimonials  of  the  ^ih 
tude  of  bis  fellow  citizeosy  too  numerous  .ti»;  jdei> 
tally  the  following  particulars  of  a  tirei^nt  fi4»ii| 
the  Citizens  of  Bostoa,  deserves  to  be  eayinf  fat^ 
cd,  vjz^  ■',;■'  V  '       ■  ':"  W^4^a 

'4'  *^  A  Salver  J  of  an  oblotig  squnre  sbape,  33  in^h^ 
long;)  by  )6  1-2  wide,  with  a  bright  gadroon  ^dge.  t , 
i'^'  Two  Icf  Pailtiy  or  Decanter  Cooierty  barrel  shaji^ 
hooped  round  wiUi  a  blight  gadroon  <dge  attopand 
bottom.'  ':]'";■■  i 

\  Two  Fitehertyoi  a  large  aiEf,  Chinese  shapJc,  witK 
tops,  and  bright  gadroons  at  top  and  bottom.  - 

Two  dozen  rtt;R4/<rr«,  plain  bat.- el  sbapCy'  With  ga^ 
droons  at  bottom.  ,1 

f.;  Wine  Giaae  Coo/fr«,  each  to  hold  a  dosen  glaBserst- 
oblong  square  shape,  standing  on  feet,  with  balls '  or- 
namented with  a  bright  gadroon  at  bottom^  and  naT^ 
row  rim  at  top,  impressed  with  an  oak  leaf 

J  Coffee  Pot.  Tea  Pot^  Su^ar  JBaain,  Cream  Ew- 
er^  Tea  Cady^axid  Slofi  J?o«t;/->^ail  o^  oblong  shapes, 
standing  on  feet,  with  balls  at  the  corners,  ornanlient^ 
ed  with  deep  borders,  impressed  with  roses  and 
leaves,  and  with  bright  gadroons'at  top  and  bottom. 

The  large  pieces  bear  the  foUowiilg  inscription  : 

:*•  SEPTEMBER  10,  1813, 

Stgnalited  our  Jint  triumph  tn  aqu&dron^^A v$ry 
sujierior  JBritiah  force  on  Lake  Eirici^xitLt 
entirely  gubdued  by 


a: 


./> 


'^'K 


>»Cl  k 


COM.  e.  U.PERRY; 


the 

tern 
ord< 
the 
out 
-  I 
liist 


Hirr«BT  OV  TAB  WAU.4sii 


±23i 


u,     >•'»  humtiniiy  intfietdry.  -i^- in  »u\fm 

ffthonottr  (lif^Ae  . Victory  dy   th^  CITIZ£JVS  (XM 

M 'The  CApture  of  the  BritUh  fleet  vemovcd  Uw 
«bieroi^eft  of'the  eapture  of  M»ideQ  f  find 
GofiemI  HiirrHon.  maile  dUposttioiiB  to^  avail 
lii atseftf  of  it. '  Boats'  were  oolleeteil,  und  troops 
gfsemhieil.  ^  GoyefnorShelhy  arrived  on  the^rth 
Bcptembcr^  aA  tto  moath  of  Porlage  river^  witti 
llboiH  40(K>  yolliuleert^  Oea.  MfArlhvr  joined 
ilv^  family  ifi  ilHtib  days  aiW  with,  his  brigadfi 
Irojtn; Poi^t  MefgSi,.  >Oa  the 21  st,  the  erahaplKatibii 
^Ii;oofiiiisoiifiii^ia^.  Patfio^bay  Island  was  the 
{lia^OfOl*  cen<^voiis» i  -.:  Comoiodofe.  Perry^s  fleets 
UKilii^iiigi  the  captuitodsvosidsy  werif  engaged  i0r 
jpvet^el  iog  difd  as«isling  tlie  men  .and  ImmiIs^  a9' 
well  as  in  eonve^iag  stores,  baggage^  &e.  Thei 
krmy'  again  «ml>at*ked  oki  Imard  die  fleet  and 
tioatsat  Pttt^in  bay;  bn  the  25thy  and  arrived  the 
t^me  everting  at  the  Eastern  Sister,  a  smaH  is- 
land about  sixteeii  miles  from  M^lckn.  Her0 
^e  expeditioil  llvafi  dibtaioed  some  time  by  bad 
W^atl^er,  dnriog  wiiitsh  time,  a  reooonoisanee  of 
tlie  enemy^fr  coast  wAs  made  by  Gen.  'Harrison^ 
apcl  Com<  Pervy  i ; ,  a  distuliejU  was  also  sent  to 
api^ize.  Cfd,  Johnson  of  their  movements,  whi^ 
witth^his  mounted  rangersr  waSv to  co-()peraie iii^ 
l^e  I'eduftioa  of  Maiden*. 
vTfQn  the^i  27th,  the  army  embarked nt  the  Eas* 
termfii#ter«'and  landed  ntfait  Maiden,  in  exeelient 
prder«  The  enemy  ilaving  previously  evacuated 
the  tiiwoMt  ^As  eaterf d  by  the  Amerieane  witb- 
out  fppositwn4.i^ft*^M«^ivu^.iAJ  n:.  ■■  ,^'--A^ 

.  It  has  been^reoiarked  in  ihe  early  part  b?  this 
bistory,  thatj,  ;f  tevkiiir^o  Ihe  surrender  of  De- 


h? 


I  If: 

»,    iV,f 

is,, 


m 


'm.^i 


ISJ^ 


HlftTMIT  OV  TUB  1IAB.»<U 


.1 


h  ■^■'4 


I 


1',' 


''>A' 


Iroit  to  tlw  cniMn.?^  ttie  inditnsy  MfUh  the  Ji^±» 
eeptionofafewwholiad joiniMl  the  enemy,  re« 
mained  inaelivc,  ^leliiiig»  with  tbeir  usual  §f^ 
gaeif^y  until  tbey  eould  difleo?«r  on  what  side 
victory  was  likely  to  pe reh.  Truo  to  their  own 
Jm^^dcout:  and' eowardly  policy,  they  w^nt  oveif^  to 
the  victorious  Brkon»;  but  no  sooner  was  tbfii 
effeei  of  treason  wiped  off>  by  the  eonrage^of  pa** 
trioti,  tban  the  savage  withdrew  from  'his  em* 
ployersr  and  sought  peaee  lt*om  thoBe,  againsf 
whom  be  bad  so  lon^  raised  the  tomabawk(-»«!» 
B^  an  ofBelal  letter^  written  b|y  Gen.  I^Artbuv 
to  the  secretary  of  war,  and  dated  'at  D^ro^i 
subsequent  to  the  retreat  of  tho^Brltisb^  it  api> 
pears  Ihatiive  nations  of  Indlass^'^iiSb  tbe^Otti-^ 
wasy  Cbippewas,  IBattewaf tentief*  MUiniiett*  ami 
Kiekapoosy  have  sued  forpeaee.  By  aoagreo* 
ment  entered  into  lietweea  tliem  and  Gen.  JM^AN 
tUur,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States^  <<tbejr 
liave  agreed  to  talie  hold  of  the  lamo  tomabawli 
with  us,  (the  people  of  the  United  States,)  Iiii4 
to  strike  aii  who  are,  or  may- be,  enemiei^  to4bi| 
United  States,  whether  Britinhoi?  Indiaqtf^'  t^  f*'^ 
<>  After  the  evaeuation  of  Maiden  by  ibe  enemyr 
Geor.  Harrison  pursued  the  Britisb^i^tbougb  bo 
(iiarpi«on,}bad  very  few  horses*  •<^^iflareejly«# 
suffieieney  to  mount  the  general  officers,"  whilst 
t^o  retreating  enemy  mid  tipwards  of  iOQ&^ 
horses.  Notwithstanding  tbis  disadvantago,.  tbor 
Amerieans  pursued  their  objeet  with  so  -muel^: 
diiigenoe,  that  ibey  came  up  wiib^  the  onOBly. 
The  force  desttaed  for  this  sr^viec,  ooiinisieil,,  ^f 
about  140  regulars^  J^bnMn%>  inooatedvegi mentis 
(Kentuokians,)  throe  ^mpanie»  of  Coi^v^aH'jf 
legion,  and  such  of  Governor  Shelby ^s  Vol UAleem 
as  were  fit  for  a  rapid  'march  ;  the  whole  ^a- 
mounting  to  about  a>d0O  tmm»  Jhws  ^^  J^'^ 


i   mSTOBY  OF  THE  WA«W 


12^ 


suii»  tvbich  Wfis  attemled  vrlih  «eTcre  |)rifatioliSf 
('the  whole  army  subsisting  for  several  days  upon 
ireshbevf,  'Without  bi*cad  or  salt^  and  thb  infant 
try  bi^lfig' without  tents  f^  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  arms  were  taken,  being  delerted  by  the 
^enty,  and  itiuoh  raore  deS(roy6<1 ;  these  oonw 
iristed 'ehieily  of  maskets  taken,  or  rather  gireiii 
t&  tbiein  tiy  the  oat^itolation  of  Detroit.  Two  246 
pottnde^Sy  with  their  eairrtages,  besides  a  largie^ 
Quantity  of  ballsimd  shells,  and  two  gun-boMs* 
and  isereral  jmtteaux,  loaded  with  provisions  and' 
simmunitionf  also  fell  into  the  hands  of  General 
ilarrison.  The  destruction  of  these  were  at* 
tempted  by  the  retreating  enemy»  but  were  saved 
by  the  activity  of  the  pursuers.  Near  a  plae«^ 
Called >M'Oregor*8  Mills,  on  ojie  of  the  branches 
of  the  rtver  Thames,  the  Indians  were  placed  irit 
great  numbers,  to  dispnte  the  passage  of  the  riv- 
er. Upon  the  arrival  of  the  A mericaii  advanced 
fuard.  n  heavy  fire  was  cbmmeneed  c^  it  by  th^ 
hiHans,  6n  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Gen. 
Harrison,  eXpiBcting  the  attack  would  be  support- 
ed by  the  whdle  fbroe  of  the  cn^my>  drew  up  hift 
entire  iariiiy  in  oi^der-  orbattfe,  and  brought  up 
two  six  pounders  to  cover  a  party  which  was  or* 
dered  to  repair  a  bridge,  partially  destroyed  liy 
the  Indians*  The  Indians^  as  usual,  when  not 
early  successful,  fled  after  suiHsring  a  eonsidera^ 
bie  loss.  The  American  loss  was  two  killed^  and' 
three  or  four  wounded^ 

On  the  5th  Odt(^er#  Genera]  Ilarrison 'earner 
up  with  the  enemy  $'tbe  result  cannot  be  given 
more  satlsRiot«rily  tban  wyII  be  found  in  the 
ibllowing^ejctrBet  ft^eibbis  letter  iotbe  secretarjp 

*  - ■'*  From  the  pl^ce" wliere  olir  army  was  last  hatted, 
to -the  MpiiiYiantownisi  a  distance  of  abo^jt  't!ixe& 


•f. ; '.: 


I 


' '  .y- 


:  :*i:ii**1 


5;tii 


''..'■■  t't^Q 

*•;  r. 

m 

'  -"ifU 


Ml 


i» 


RIBTOIIT   tii  Tin  tVAK. 


I* 


'  .0} 

M  m 


u 


iiu^it 


%:  :m 


m 


■3 


M 


VM-l.. 


•nd  half  milies,  the  rotid  ^ptsses  throtigh  a  tcWit 
forest)  without  any  clearing,  and  for  the  hsH  two 
miles,  near  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  At ,  from  tw« 
to  three  hundred  jrards  from  the  river,  a.  Hram^  ex- 
tends parallel  to  it  throughout  the  whole  dblance. 
The  intermediate  ground  is  dry,  and  although  the 
^rees  are  tolerably  thick  it  is  in  many  places  cleac 
of  underbrush.  Across  this  strip  of  landy  its  left 
aftpayed  upon  the  river»  supported  by  artillery  ^  placf. 
ed  in  the  wood,  their  right  in  the  swamp*  Gov^;*ed  |>/ 
the  whole  of  their  Indian  force,  the  British  troops 
Wci'e  drawn  up. 

'^  The  troops  at  my  disposal  consisted  of  about  1  ^0 
regulars^  of  the  27tH  regiment,  five  brigades  of  Ken** 
tu<5ky  volunteer  militia  in&ntry,  under  his  excdleu« 
«y  Governor  Shelby,  averaging  less  than  five  hun* 
ilred  men,  and  Col.  Johnson's  regiment  -  of 'mdunfeed 
infantry,  fmikiiig:  in  the  whole  an  aggregate  some* 
thin  above  sooo.  No  disposition  of  an  army  op^ 
^osed  to  as  Indian  force,,  can  be  8afe,iimless'it  as  s«* 
^uredon  the  f}aul»t  and  in  the  rear*  t  I  had,  .|h#re«r 
fore,  no  difficulty  |ti  arranging  the  jui£»iiiry^oii^rmaf 
bly  to  my  general  order  of  battle.  Qea.  .^i^ter'a 
brigade  of  500  mjBnt  formed  the  fronMii>|5»JW#  light 
upon  the  road,  and  hi^  left  uppn  the  awamnto  .v^Dt 
iKing^s  brigade,  as  a  second  lihe,  150  yards  in  .t|if 
i^ar  of  Trotter's  and  Chiles'a  brigad^^  as  a  c^tpa  of 
reserve,  in  the  rear  of  it.  TheSi^,  thFce  ||rig^e| 
formed  the  command  of  Msj.  Geo.  Uenry ;  the  wbolil^ 
of  Gen.j'^esha's  division,  consisting  of  two  brigad^s^ 
v^re  formed  cm  ^o/fmr^  upon  the  l^t  of  Trotticr.  ,,  . " 

*^  While  I  was  engaged  in-  forming  the  info|itr|F94 
had  directed  CoK  iohns^p's  rfl|[iihcat,'<.wlufib  was 
still  in  front  to  be  formed  in  two  lines  «ot>posita  t(» 
the  enemy,  aod,  upon  th^  advance  ol.  the ' mfoBtry^» 
to  take  ground  to  the^  left,  and  .  formii^f^  <  up^j^tliat 
Aank,  to  endeavour  to  turn  the  right'  of  the  Jui^i^Sft 
A  moiQent's  reflection,  however,  Gonyincedmf>  ^Nl 
l^roDi  tbethickpesa  of  thb  woodsj  and  swatnjilipe^a.of 
ilie  ground,  tbey  would  be  udable  to  )do  any  thing  on 


BISTORT  or  THE  WAV.  '^ 


127 


horseback)  and  there  wat  no  time  to  ismount  them 
Mid  plftce  their  hones  in  security ;  I,  therefore)  de- 
termined to  refuse  my  left  to  the  Indians,  and  to 
break  theBritish  lines  at  once  by  a  charge  of  the 
mounted  infantry  ?  the  measure  was  not  sanctioned 
by  any  things  that  I  had  seen  or  heard  of)  but  I  was 
hiWf  convinced)  that  it  would  succeed;  The  Ame« 
rtcan  backwoodsmen  ride  better  in  the  woods  than 
any  other  people.  A  musket  or  rifle  is  oo  impedi« 
itkent  to  them)  being  accustomed  to  carry  them  on 
horseback  from  their  earliest  youth.  I  was  per* 
tfuaded)toO)  that  the  enemy  would  be  quite  unpre- 
pared for  the  shock,  and  that  they  could  not  resist 
H.  Conformably  to  this  idea)  I  directed  the-regl- 
tatrit  to  be  drawn  up  in  close  column)  with  Us  right 
at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards  from  the  road,  (that  it 
ihf jg:ht 'be,  in  some  measure)  protected  by  the  trees 
A*otn  the  artillery,)  its  left  upon  tlie  swamp,  and  to 
dtfurgeat  full  speed  as  soon  as  the  enemy  delivered 
fheit  (ire;  The  few  regular  troop>s  of  the-  2Tth- rcfc- 
(^iineht)  under  their  colonel,  (Paul)  occupied)  in-  co« 
liAta  of' sections  of  four,  the  small  space  bctWbefi 
tfietbad' and  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing 
the  enemy's  artillery  ;  and  some  ten  or  twelve  friend* 
1^  liidians  were  directed  to  move  under  the  bank. 
The  irro/rAer  formed  by  the  front  line  and  GenerM 
Desha's  divieion  was  an  important  pctnt.  At  that 
j^lace,  the  venerable  governor  of  Kentucky  was  post* 
eld)  who,  at  ^e  age  of  sixty-six,  preserves  all  the  v|- 
l^r  of  youth,  the  ardent  zeal  which  distinguished 
him  in  ^e  revolutironary  war,  and  the  undaunted  bra- 
vei^  which  he  manifested  at  King's  Mountain.  With 
ih^  aids-de>camp,  the  acting  assistant  adj.  general* 
Cftpti  Butler,  my  gallant  friend  Com.  Perry,  who 
dld'itl^ithd  honour  to  serve  as  iiiy  volunteer  ald-de« 
<^iiip^  ihd  Brig.  Gen.  Cass,  who  having  no  commattdi 
t^^eried  me  his  assistance,  I  placed  myself  At  the 
hekd  ef  the  front  line  of  tnfsntry^  to  direct  the  move* 
iiAt%fitst>f%he  cavuby)  and  give  them  the  necessary 
suppoirt%    The  army  had  moved  on  in  this  order  but 


iS^I 


i  f<;# 


m 


•■hit 

*   *'« . 

if'!' I 


,i.'.:r. 


mi 


a": 


Jk 


128* 


mSTORT  OV  THB  WAS. 


a  short  distancci  when  the  mounted  men  received  the- 
fire  of  the  British  line,  and  were  qrdercd  to  charge  ; 
the  horses  in  the  front  of  the  column  recoiled  'from 
the  fire  ;  another  was  given  by  tl»e  enemy »  and  buCi 
column)  at  length,  getting  in  motioni  broke  through 
the  enemy  wiih  irresistible  force.     In  one  minute), 
the  contest  in  front  was  over  ;  the  British  ofiicefSi 
seeing  no  hopes  of  reducing  their  disordered  rai)k8' 
tp  order)  and  our  mounted  men  wheeling  upon  t^ei^^. 
and  pouring  in  a  destructive  fire,  immediately   8^rJ, 
rendered,     it  is  certain  that  three  only  of  our  troops^' 
wer?  wounded  in  this  charge-     Upon  ihe  leAf  how-^/ 
ever,  the  contest  was  more  severe  i^ith  the  Indians. 
Colonel  Johnson)   who  commanded  on  that  fitok  of 
his  regiment,  received  a  most  galling  fire  from  theniy: 
ii^hich  was  returned  with  great  effect.    The  IndiaitB». 
still  further  to  the  riglit  advanced*  and  fell  in  with 
our  front  line  of  infantry,  near  itsiunction  with  De8«< 
ha's  division,  and,  for  a  moment  made  an  impression 
QP  it'     His  excellency  Governor  Shelby,  howevefi^, 
brought  up  a  regimei\>^^  lo  its  support,  and  the  enemy« 
receiving  a  severe  fire  in  front,  and  a  part  of  J^n«: 
son's  regiment  having  gained  their  rear»  r^trei^iedC 
with  precipitation." 

.  The  active  Indian  Chief  Tecumsebt  afteifr 
evincing  great  resolution^  and  eontii.uing  to  fight 
although  being  badly  wouodedy  fell,  nvbile  di^ 
reeling  a  deadly  aim  at  Col.  Johnson.  The  id- 
vineible  courage  of  the  colonel,  and  bis  great* 
presence  of  mind,  saved  bis  own  Talttable  life^ 
a^d  put  an  end  to  that  of  an  irreeoncilcable  foe. 
White  the  sanguinary  Tecumseb  was  aiming  at 
the  colonel,  the  latter,  although  wounded  in  se* 
Teral  parts,  and  much  exhausted,  discharged  his 
pistol  with  great  coolness,  and  brought  the  fe- 
rocious savage  to  the  earth,  where  be  was  found, 
dead.  The  American  loss  amounted  to  seven  kill- 
ed and  ^2  wounded ;  the  British  loss  vas.  l^J^Ud: 


.  -jftiy  t  ■»- 


t»*  4{»*-  if  V  ■»  * 5» ■*??■.'-:*  •?  '"*e  i»- '4A 1 


■^^ 


MITOBT  O?  THB  WAS. 


fl2  woimdtfdy  anil  601  r«g«lar«  t»keo  prisdner*. 
The  Indianfl*  from  the  l^tt  iafermation*  lufRsrMl 
•ev«relj»  S3  of  them  were  found  dead  on  the 
field.  8fX  brasB  pieees  of  artilk  ry,  and  two  iron 
JBi  pbaiNlert,  and  a  large  «}uantU3r  of  small  armt» 
fell  into  the  bands  of  the  vietort^  £yery  Ameri* 
can  will  be  pleased  tn  leant*  that  among  the 
field  pieees*  were  three*  wbieb  were  tal^^en  fV*om 
the  Brttisli  during  the  revolutionary  war*  bearing 
the  motto  «<  murendered  by  Burgotftte  at  Sarata 
ga/*  and  lately  surrendered  to  the  enemy  by^ 
Gen.  Hull.  Major  General  Proetory  who  com* 
mawkd'the  eneroy't  ftir«es>  eioaped  withdiA* 
tally,  accompanied  by  about  50  persons^  eoniisto 
iiig  ehieHy  of  officers  «f  the  army* 

After  this  total  defbat  of  the  enemy,  the  mill* 
iia  were  discharged*  and  Gen.  Harrison^  with 
kis  disposable  regular  force*  moeompanied  by 
Commodore  Perry,  arrived  at  Pres^e«lsley  «• 
tfte  3ii  October,  from  Detroit ;  iVom  whence -be 
sailed  for  B1ac%  Rock,  with  a  view  to  «o<«perata 
iHth  the  a^my  there*  or  at  Backet's  Harbour.-^ 
By  (his  excursion  he,  in  the  short  space  of  Icsa 
thati  a  month*  recovered  the  territory  of  Miebi- 
gan>  punished  and  forced  into  peace,  the  nume« 
rons  hordes  of  savages*  eaptnred  a  British  regu- 
lar army,  brought  security  to  the  inhabitants  of 
tffe  tiortb- western  frontier  of  the  United  States, 
anfd  marched  triumphantly  through  a  great  por«^ 
tion  of  the  Upper  Province  of  Canada.  General 
€n8s  was  left in  the  provisional  government  cff 
MIchigaif  territory.  ^ 

^  'The  Instances  of  soccessnil  bravery*  whicli  had 
bitberio  been  fi^quent,  were  In  a  manner,  eolipg* 
•d  t^y  the  following  : 

-  M*»j<ir  i  Seorge  Croghan*  in  the  22d  year  ^ 
bhl^tige^  was  ieft/liy  Gen.  liarrisQo,  in  eommimd 


mi 


.11 


i59 


Biff omr  •!  THB  WAft» 


m 


pi  ±69  jnefif  VLXtA  viUh  one-  ti3E-p<fii|ide^>  t(  Fort 
8fephei8on«  (Lower  Sandiitky.)  • 

In .  the  eoiirie  of  two  weeks  (here  h«d  been 
*  no  fewer  Ihan  ten  reneounteri ;  in  one  of  whicbiL 
the  enemy  earried  a  bloek-hoiMe  at  Fori  Madif» 
son  on  tbe  iOth  Jnlyp  from  wliieb  they  aitaoked 
the  fort,  but  wHhoat  sueoesi.  Four  men  were 
butchered  in  the  bloek-honse.  ,  ^ '  ^^^ 

"  It  would  appear,  that  it  wa^  Clem  Harriflon^t 
intention,  not  to  expose  the  tman  forcd  at  Fort 
Bteiihenson,  to  be  eut  off  bj  an  e oeihj  very  9U<k^ 
perior  ia  numbers ;  and  the  tni^ior  .wai,  for  i 
abort  time,;  superseded  in  the  eommand^  in  eontif 
irqttenee  of  disobeying  an  order  to  burn  ttn^ 
evacuate  the  fort ;  but,  on  his  arrival  at  b^Ak 
jqfuarterl  of  the  general,  b^  gave  siieh  sati^Die^^ 
torj  evidcnee  of  his  aliiHly  to  maintain  the  posti^ 
that  he  was  immcdhitely  sent  back  with  diree*' 
V      tions  to  resume  the  command. 

.  On  the  evening  of  the  Ist  August,  the  Brili^rti' 
find  Indians,  who*  had  eome  up  to  9andusky> 
rlvjir,  from  the  bay^  commetfeed'  fvom  tlifeir 
boats  a  heavy  eannonading  u|)on  the  fort,  and 
.  threw  iii  a  great  number  of  shells  from  their 
'9  bomb  batteries.  The  tnern^  (''Ontinued  his  ope-^ 
rations  without  siicness  until  the  eVeoing  of 
the  2d«  when«  after  throwing  a  great  number  of 
balls  tVoro  a  siX'ponnder,  at  the  north-west  an- 
gle of  the  fort,  for  the  purpose  Of  making  a 
breach,  a  column,  under  connn^nd  of  Lieuteim 
ant  ColoneJ  Short,  advanced  to^  the  point  on  whic|]( 
the  aHillery  liad  beeh  played,  with  intention  of 
^tormirigf  but  the  j^]dlc*ioHs  management  Of  Ma- 
jor Croglian,  foiled  the  enemy  in  his  attempt/ 
The  ditch,  which  surrounded  the  works,  was 
about  eight  :feet  wide,-  and  of  equal  depth— 4 his 
Ibe  enemy  had  to  enter  befot'e  they  oot^^  iijp«t 


''•■-'' i "' 


.7 


BttTOaY  OV  TI1«  WAI^.j 


«H 


t* 


proaoh  the  piekets  :  (through  the  top  of  ea<*hf 
a  bayonet  was  driven  in  a  horizontal  direetioti.) 
while  in  thi»  situation,  the  ^ixpounder,  which 
WM  masked  in  a  bloolc-holise,  and  a  ravine  ad- 
JMietlt  poured  upon  the  storming  column  a  ti*e« 
mrndous  sliower  of  musket  baUs*  whi<  h  did  ter-< 
ribi«  exeouiion*  and  so  confounded  the  asetail- 
antsy  that  Lieut.  Colonel  dhori,  who  had  pre^t 
Viauslj  ordered  his  men  to»**se4le  the  picliets» 
and  show  the  damned  Yankee  rascals  no  quar- 
t^rs,"  exhihited  a  white  handk«^rohief  as  a  Mig- 
•ai  ttf  distress,  evinoing  his  disponltion  to  have 
tquarNsrs*  given  him,  auer  he  had  proolaimed 
I  hat  the  garrison  should  he  maHsaered.  It  was» 
Wwever,  too  late— 'the  next  disi^harge  proved 
fatal — he  fell— -and  Lieut.  Gordon  of  the  i^Hlli 
fegiinent  died  h^^  bis  side.  This  Wiis  near  two 
hours  before  suii^set.  The  Hring  from  the 
block- house  was  prineipally  directed  at  the  en- 
emy who  had  taken  refuge  in  the  direetiim  of 
the  ravine — the  slaughter  there  was  immense^ 
and  Gen.  Proctor^  who  commanded  in  persoiip 
ordered  the  aUied  ^nemy  to  retreat  to  their 
b<»Hts.  The  greater  part  of  the  night  was  oc- 
cupied in  carrying  off*  the  dead  and  wounded— 
from  the  number  of  trails  discovered  in  the 
grass,  it  is  evident  that  no  less  than  oO  of  the 
dead  were  dragged  away.  Abont  30  killed,  in- 
eluding  the  two  officers  mentioned  above,  were 
left  in  the  ditoh  and  ravine — and  30  prisoners, 
18  severely  wounded,  which  Gen.  Proctor  in  his 
liurry,  left  behind,  were  aflterward«  brought  in- 
to the  fort,  it  is  a  fact,  worthy  of  observation 
that  net  one  Indian  was  found  among  the  dead 
although  it  is  known  that  ^ from  3  to  400  were 
present,  under  the  celebrated  Captain  Ii^lUot.-^ 
ThoQamberof  British  regulars  was  At9Q,  from 


ii% 


nitTSRT  <W  THB  WA||. 


.'Si^fl 


ilbe  40(b  regimeilt.  Major  Cfog^han  hud  btit 
one  man  killeil,  and  seven  slighlly  wounded. 

Tiie  Briti«h  loss,  by  their  own  eonfessloB, 
amounted  to  9%,  exelusive  of  Indiany^  There 
vas»  however*  sufficient  «%idenoe  to  justiljf  the 
belief,  that  it  was  eonsiderably  m<M*e. 

When  Colonel  Elliot  demanded  the  surrender 
of  the  fori,  he  stated,  that*  unlesv  his  dema«id 
livas  promptly  aeeeded  to,  a  geneval  maBMoei'e 
would  ensut,  And  when  Colonel  Short,  who 
eofiimandt'd  the  Brititsh  reguJlurSf  destined  to 
•toriii  the  fort.  ha«l  formed  UU  tioops  in  a  Uoe 

{»araliel  with  the  ditch,  he  ordei^  themy  'm^Um 
learini^  of  our  men,  to  leap  the  diteh,  eiktsdiiwa 
the  piekets,  and  ffive  the  Amerieans  no  quar^ 
Irrs.  This  barhat'Oiis  order,  which  none  hut  a 
•avage  eou'd  giv«e«  was  not«  however^  |ierfliit<ed 
to  f;o  unpunished  ;  for  the  words  were  hardly 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Briti*»h  eommtrnderi 
Hvhen  tlie  retribute  justice  of  Providenee  ar«> 
rested  him  ;  and  the  wi  eteh  was  obliged  to  sue 
for  that  merey  which  be.  had  determined  not  to 
,oxtend  to  others.  It  may  be  observed  here,  in 
honour  of  tho  eharaivter  of  the  American  soIf 
diers,  that  althongh  their  little  hand  were  well 
Aware  of  the  fate  which  the  enemy  had  prepared 
£»r  them,  yet,  they  we^re  no  sooner  subdued^ 
than  the  Americans  forgot  the  erimes  of  the  en* 
em.v  in  their  sufl^rings  ;  and  the  wounded  in  thi 
dileh^  whose  groans  and  constant  calls  for  waieTf 
were  Iward  by  the  men  inthefort,  were  supplUi 
with  tluii  necessary  article^  on  the  night  sveeeed^ 
ing  the  diseomfiture  of  the  enemy^  ly,  the  geuero^ 
sily  of  the  jimeiiicatis*  who*  with  considei  able 
ha%ard»  ventured  to  lisk  (:heir  Hves  in  order  to 
fUleviate  tlie  sufferings  of  the  very  men  vdio  hoi 
plaited  iheir  ei^irt  de§truetwn» 


#' 


ttlSTOllT  OT  THE  WAB. 


idi^ 


' ^'^31i«  breVet  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  lias  been 
conferred  by  the  president  of  the  United  States 
•u  Major  Croghan.  \  j 

^  vThe  ladies  of  Chillicothe  have  presented  him 
urith  a  aword.  and  a  llHttering  address.  '. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  a  detaohment  of  the  ene^ 
my*  with  a  number  of  ggn  boats,  from  Itile- 
Aux-Noix;  sueeeecled  in  capturing  the  U.  S^ 
armed  vessel**  Cirowler  and  Kagle,  on  Lake 
C'hainplain,  after  a  well  contested  defence  by 
4 he  brave  iereWsof  these  vesisets,  against  a  very 
superior  foree.'  The  oonsirqui^nee  was,  that  the 
enemy  gained  a  very  decided  superiority  on  the 
lake.t.  .  ,    *•        '  :<■    ^-    ^# 

^>'t^e  enemy  roekonod  on  success  in  his  future 
operations  in  this  quarter,  not  only  from  his 
i»wn  superior  force,  but  also  from  the  unprepai*ed 
state  of  the  Americans*  Com.  Maedonough 
liadinot  a  sufficient  numlier  of  seamen  to  man 
Ms  sloops,  and  would  be  highly  reprehensible 
liad  he  been  defeated  in  an  attempt  to  i*e(?over 
the  ascendency  on  the  lake.  There  were  ne 
troops  stationed  at  Plattsburgb.  While  thingt 
"were  thus  situated,  the  British  flotilla^  eofiiii^t- 
Ingoftwo  sloops  of  war, (the  Gagle  and  Grow ler^y 
lately  captured,  three  gun  boiUti,and  i4  batt^auXy 
loaded  with  troops,'  sailors,  atid  marines,  about 
1^0  in  all,  under  the  eommand  of  Cul.  Murruyt 
erossed  the  line  at  Champlain,  on  the  SOth  Ju«> 
ly,  and  entered  Plattsburgh  on  the  following  day. 
"  (lb  the  first  intbrmatien  of  the  appf*oach  of 
4he  enemy.  Gen.  Mooers  gave  orders  tor  calling 
eut  the  militia  f  and  when  the  enemy  arrived* 
about  300  from-^  Plattsburgh  and  the  neighbour-i> 
Ing  towns,  had  collected,  who  reitired  baok  a  few 
^iies«  where  tbey  were  joined  by  the  residue  isf 
the  regiment  from  the  eouatjr  eC  KfMi^*        "-  ^1 


•a    ■■..'P 

:'  '  ■ 


2-«l 


■#     ^^ 


-m 


idir 


3I8T0BT  09  tQlB  ^AR. 


Although  the  officers  ivho  had  the  command 
of  the  ejcfedition,  assured  the  civil  authority  of 
the  village,  that  private  property  should  be  re*' 
ispectcd,  and  that  citizens  Bot  in  arms,  should 
reumin  unmolested— *yet  these  promises  were  no 
sooner  made  than  violated  ;  the  enemy,  not  sat- 
isfied with  destr4)y]ng  the  pubiio  buildings,  suefa 
as  the  block- house,  arsenal,  armory,  hospital, 
and  military  cantonments,  wantonly  burned  two 
•tore-houses,  belonging  to  Peter  Sailly,  esq. 
and  one  belonging  to  Jilajor  ]N.  Z*  Plail — took, 
and  carried  off  seyerai  thousand,  dollars  worth 
«f  hardware,  belonging  to  Frothioghamy  &  Co. 
tof  Boston,  which  had  been  stored  with  Mr^ 
Sailly.  The  destruction  of  private  property 
was  not  limited  to  such  as  they  could  eat,  diiiik» 
and  carry  away,  but  furniture,  which  could  not 
be  of  any  use  to  the  plunderers,  was  wantonly 
<]estroyed — tables,  bureaus,  clocks,  desks,  oup<- 
boards,  and  croctkery,  were  cut  and  broken  to 
pieces,  and  thrown  al)out  the  houses^— books  and 
writings  were  torn  to  pieces,  and  scattered  about 
the  streets. 

fjfTlie  various  successes  of  the  enemy,  during 
iheir  short  visit  to  Plattsburgh,  are  described 
by  several  respectable  authorities,  to  be  <sior* 
aiious,  cruel,  and  wanton,  in  a  high  degree.-— 
•*  Well  was  i  *'  says  one  or  the  witnesses  of  tbe 
«ecne,  «»for  our  wives,  sisters,  aud  daughters, 
that  they  remembered  the  excesses  at  Hampton, 
tind  trusted  not  their  persons  to  the  mercy  of  the 
invaders." 

Oh  Sunday,  the  f;&ith1ess  ruffians,  the  unprin- 
(cipled  invaders,  re-embark«d,  and  stood  out  of 
the  hay.  They  took  a  Dutham  bout,  loaded 
with  flour,  and  eight  sloops^  one  of  ^hUth  Ihey 
fiurfled, 


fW" 


j^'- 


I.' 


HCSrORT  ^M  TUB  WA.R» 


laa 


On  their  return  to  Point-au  Roehc,  the  orcw 
of  one  of  the  boats  landed,  and  part  went  to  tiie 
house  of  a  Mr.  Williams ;  thejr  found  his  wift) 
out  af  the  house  ;  t>»o  of  them  went  in,  to  keep 
the  husband  in  cheek*  while  the  third  attempted 
to  gratify  his  brutal  desires  upon  her.  Uer  hus- 
band, tiearing  her  screams,  eame  to  her  assist- 
ance, at.d  m  (he  struggle,  the  woman  diseharged 
the  villain's  gnu,  disengaged  the  bayonet  there- 
from, which  slie  stuck  twice  into  his  own  baek^ 
and  wounded  him  pretty  severely;  the  other  twa 
fled,  and  UTr.  Wtlliams  and  his  wife  bound  the 
rascal)  and  sent  him  in;  the  inhabitants  on  Point- 
au- Roche,  took  the  skiff  in  tvhteh  tliey  came^  anil 
the  other  soldiers.  '^ 

The  IThited  States*  tro<»p9  at  Burlington,  un- 
di^r  coihrmand  of  Maj.  G«it.  Hampton,  consisted^ 
of  about  4^000  men.  They  were  under  arms» 
Wliifing  thefapproadh  of  the  enemy,  and  would^ 
undoubtedly,  have  defended  their  post  against 
any  attack  they  could  have  made  on  it.  / 

On  the  3d  August,  the  enemy  appeared  befbrv 
BurKngton,  and  fired  inta  the  town  for  somo 
time,  l>ut  no  considerable  damage  was  done.  In 
th6  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  detachment  pro- 
Iseed^d  to  Shelbunie,  four  or  five  miles  south  of 
BurHhgton,  where  they  seized  a  sloop,  with  about 
400  barrels  of  ftonr.  The  limited  force  under 
Oen.  Hampton,  would  not  .fustify  bis  detiiefiing 
arty  part  of  his  troops  from  the  proteotioti  of 
pi^o|ierfy  aYid  stores  under  his  immediate  care : 
the  marauding  enemy  wisely  retired  before  re- 
inforcements eould  have  arrived. 

It  was  the  intentioii  of  the  fJ.  S.  government^ 
to  make  an  attack  on  Montreal,  before  the  win- 
ter would  put  an  end  to  the  campaign.  The  ef- 
Acting;  of  this  o]>ject  would  g^ive  to  the   United 


...    i»- 


i  Zl;. 


v\: 


r'il 


-;  '■-'-•••-HI 


■•irivft 


K^^V4 


■f^      ■» 


ft  v> 


h^W 

1;  .'^ 

^m 

■  ;1 

r  ^"^9 

1 '   ''";^ 

r  ^il 

a   ■  ■:«,S| 

m 

'^ 

l/.f 


,:!> 
•g 


y,  '(Ka 


>7^* 


^       ^^ 


,  f.» 


ise 


HISTOBT  0?  THB  WAK. 


States  the  entire  command  of  Upper  Canada* 
completely  subdue  the  Indians,  regain  the  eonfi- 
denee  of  the  Canadians,  \ivhioh  was  suspended  by 
the  sudden  retreat,  and  subsequent  conduct  of 
Gen.  Hull,  and  make  an  Impression  on  the  ene- 
my, which  roust  incline  him  to  peace*  on  just  and 
honourable  terms.  A  large  force  was  ordered 
to  Sacket's  Harbour :  and  Gen.  Wifkinson,  who 
had  the  chief  command,  was  ordered  to  use  his 
utmost  effort,  and  the  greatest  possible  expedi- 
Uon   in  carrying  the  design  into  efl^ct. 

On  the  1st  Nov.  1813,  Gen.  Wilkinson's  army 
l*egan  its  movements  from  Grenadier- Island* 
down  the  St.  Lawrence.  They  had  not  proceed- 
ed  far,  before  the  advanced  corps,  under  General 
Brown,  was  attacked  by  the  enemy,  from  the 
sbore.  On  returning  the  fire,  the-eiiemy  dls<* 
persed,  and  the  army  advanced. 
,  The  movements  of  the  army  under  General 
llampton,  were  intended  to  facilitate  those  of 
(jen.  Wilkinson  ;  and  both  armies  were  finally  to 
unite,  previous  to  the  attack  on  Montreal. 

The  army  under  Gen.  Hampton,  moved  from 
Chateaugay  on  the  21st  October,  and  arrived 
at  its  position  at  Sears's,  on  the  2^d — thus  hav- 
ing, with  inoredibic  labour,  surmounted  %^  miles 
of  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  rout,  through 
the  extensive  and  almost  impassable  forest* 
which  bounds  the  Canaihi  line.  Alter  4  or  5 
miles  of  open  country,  another  forest  of  6  or  7 
miles  was  opposed  to  their  march,  (which  was  on 
the  north-west  side  of  the  river.)  This  the  en- 
emy had  made  almost  an  entire  fortification,  by 
crossing  it  with  felled  trees,  interspersed  with 
breast-works  and  ditches  :  through  these  pb« 
stniclions,  the  enemy  was  to  be  assailed— -a  part 
of  their  forces^  consisting  of  light  troops  and 


# 
# 


'^ 


'^, 


H19T0BT  OF  TUE   WAiB. 


f3T 


tndianSy  Vf^re  posted  in  these  defences,  while  the 
iiiab  body,  comman(h:d  by  Sir  Geor(;e  Ppevo8t> 
in  person,  ^as  lodged  in  the  rear,  tbrtifled  with 
batteries  and  cannon.  Tiie  hardships-^the  Ame- 
rican army  had  endured,  the  continual  rains  that 
were  falling,  and  the  obstructions  in  front,  wouhl 
have  damped  the  ardour  of  troops  less  disposed 
to  disregard  all  Miilerings  and  perils  in  pursuit 
of  glory,  and  in  the.  service  of  their  country — 
hut  OB  the  contrary,,  partaking  largely  of  the 
spirit  which  inspired  their  commander-in-chief, 
every  individual  seemed  uncommonly  emulous  of" 
the  enterprise. 

It  was  believed  that  the  obstructions  coultl* 
not  be  forced  by  the  main  body,  without  great 
loss.     To  avoid  this,  the  light  companies,  and  a 
Fegiment  of  infantry,  were  detached  at  dark, 
on  the  evening  of  the  25(h,  to  proceed  on  the- 
dpposite  (S.  £.)  side  ef  the  rivers  to  a  fording 
place,  below   the  enemy's  advance,  which  they 
were  to  cross,  and  attack  the  enemy  in  flank 
and  rear,  while  the  main  body  should  attack  in 
front  ;  and  thus  destroy  the    enemy's  defence 
at  a  blow.     Owing  ta  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
incessant  rain,  and  the  diifieulties  of  the  wood, 
the  guide  who  conducted  this  detachment  hav- 
ing lost  his  way,  the  party  did  not  arrive  at  tho^ 
proposed  point.    The  battalioir  of  the  lOth  re- 
giment^ consisting  of  about  209  men,  were,  at 
the  appointed  time  (three  o'clock,  p.  m.  on  th» 
26th)  at  the  entrance  of  the  obstructed   wood^. 
waiting  the  attack  of  the  troops  on  the  eneniy'»> 
flank,   which   was   to  be  the  signal  for  them  tO' 
•dvanee.     At  this  moment,  the  enemy  commenc- 
ed a  fire  on  this  battalion,  who  promptly  returned^ 
it,  then  charged  and  drove  the  enemy  from  their- 
lirking.  places^  dispersing   them  entirel^^  aaili 


-:t 


m 


mi 

mi 


m 


i>tr'fi 


.'-.>. :'"'S 


■  '.'•«i1 


« 


4, 


1^8 


UISTQBT   OV  THIS  >VAB. 


Bilenoing^  their  (ire  ;  in  tliis  the  Americans  had 
only  one  man  killed*  and  some  three  or  four 
-wounded.  At  this  momt^nty  the  firing  commeno- 
ed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  with  some  of 
the  light  companies,  and  it  was  here,  and  not  in 
either  of  the  main  divisions  of  the  army»  that 
any  serious  loss,  or  at  least  confusion  oecurrcd  $ 
the  enemy*  was,  however*  soon  dispersed  in  this 
quarter  also.  After  waiting  some  time  for  the 
renewal  of  the  enemy's  attack*  the  main  body 
of  the  Amerioan  army  fell  back  slowly*  and  in 
good  order,  the  enemy  not  daring  to  show  them« 
selves*  or  in  the  least  to  interrupt  their  marohf 
to  a  position  four  miles  from  the  place  of  action* 
Here  they  were  shortly  after  joined  by  tlie  de- 
tached party  wrho  had  some  further  skirmishing 
-with  the  enemy  of  no  grent  account.  At  this 
place  they  remained  several  days,  without  re- 
ceiving the  Ic'Ast  molestation.  The  pnly  failure 
i»rthe  cxpediiion,  is  attributable  to  the  miscar- 
riage of  the  guide*  which  disconcerted  apian* 
that  otherwise  must  have  led  to  the  capture  of  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  enemy's  force,  and 
the  complete  dcstrnetion  of  his  plan  of  defence*  .?< 
(  The  American  actual  total  loss,  in  killed* 
"wounded,  and  missing*  did  not  exeeed  S6  men. 
'i'he  whole  American  force  engaged,  did  not  ex- 
ceed 22d  men  on  the  side  where  the  greatest 
force  of  the  enemy  were  opposed — the  other  re- 
giments did  not  arrive  until  the  moment  when 
the  enemy  Were  retiring,  and  were  only  formed^ 
and  in  line*  but  took  no  part  in  the  engage- 
ment. 

Colonel  Purdy,  who  commanded  the.  detach* 
nient  which  fought  this  battle,  in  his  report  to 
ij^en,  ^Vilkinson*  is  very  free  in  his  censure  of 


:/      *^,  M, 


HI8T0QT  OF    THE   WAB. 


139 


Gen  Hampton.  «  Incredible,"  6ays>  the  colonel, 
«  as  it  may  appear.  General  Hampton  entrusted 
nearl^^  one  half  of  bis  army,  and  those  his  best 
troops,  to  the  guidance  of  men,  each  of  whom 
repeatedly  assured  him,  that  they  were  not  ac» 
quainted  with  the  country,  and  were  not  compe- 
tent to  direct  such  an  expedition." 

«  Towards  sun  down,"  says  the  colonel,  «  I 
sent.  Gen.  Hampton  a  request,  Miat  a  regiment 
might  be  ordered  down  to  cover  my  landing  on 
the  opposite  side  of  tlve  river  ;  but,  judge  my 
surprise,  on  receiving  intelligence  that  he  had 
retreated  with  the  second  brigade,  nearly  three- 
miles.^^ 

**  Never,  to  my  knowledge,"  says  ^c  colonel^ 
in  another  part  of  his  despatch,  *<  during  oup 
inarch  into  Canada,  and  whiW  we  remained  at 
the  Four  Corners,  a  term  of  26  days,  did  Gen. 
Hampton  ever  send  oflTa  scouting  or  reconnoitre- 
ing  party,  (exeept  in  one  or  two  cases  at  Spears*s, 
in  Canada,  when  he  detached  a  few  dragoons 
for  this  duty,)  nor  did  he,  from,  the  time  we  com- 
menced our  march  from  Cumberland  Head,  to 
our  arrival  at  Plattsburgb,  ever  order  a  front 
flank,  or  rear  guard,  to  be  kept  up,  though  a 
great  part  of  the  time  we  were  in  situations 
ivhich  evidently  required  it.  True  it  is,  these 
guards  were  occasionally  sent  out,  not,  however, 
by  his  order,  but  by  the  orders  of  the  officers  . 
commanding  brigades." 

The  colonel  winds  up  hti  charges  against  Gen. 
Hampton,  by  saying, «  Sucb  has  been  the  gene- 
rals conduct,  on  some  occasions,  that  I  bave» 
in  e4>mmon  with  other  officers,  been  induced  to 
believe,  that  be  was  under  the  influence  of  a  too. 
iree  use  of  spiritous  liquors." 
>  'The  official,  accouat  of  tbia  action^  bj  ih« > 


/■ 


■■»  :■.■■■. 


m 


iia 


IltSTORT  OV  THE  WAIT^ 


.!•)' 
,((«'* 


1 1        .■"(!» 


I' 

V  i3 


H   '>^ 


BnliHh  General  Baynevis  very  diOercnC  from^ 
the  above,  but  so  itnjirobable  and  wide  from  the 
Iruth,  (hat  it  may,  wilh  much  safety,  be  averretU 
that  it  did  not  meet  belief  from  a  siogle  reader 
of  any  party. 

As  sooa  as  General  Wilkinson  passed  Kings* 
ton,  and  that  it  became  evident  be  must  have 
designed  the  taking  of  Montreal,  the  troop» 
M'hieh  were  stationed  for  the  defence  of  Kings- 
ton, were  employed  in  annoying  and  delaying 
the  progress  of  the  American  army.  «  The 
eorps  of  the  enemy,''  says  Gen  AVilkinson,  m 
his  oflleial  report  to  the  secretary  of  war,  <<  from 
Kingston,  which  followed  me,  hung  on  my  rear» 
and  in  concert  with  a  heavy  galley,  and  a  few 
gun  boats,  seemed  determined  to<  retani  my 
progress.  I  was  strongly  tempted  to  halt,  turn 
about,  and  put  an  end  to  his  teasing;  but  alas ! 
I  was  confined  to  my  bed  ;  Maj.  Gen.  Lewis 
was  too  ill  for  any  active  exertions ;  and  above 
all,  I  did  not  dare  suffer  myself  to  bo  diverted  a 
single  day  from  the  prosecution  of  the  views  of 
government."  u 

On  the  loth  ?^ov.  about  noon,  Gen.  Brown,  wW 
was  with  his  command  in  front,  and  some  dis- 
tance below  the  main  body  of  the  army,  was  ea^ 
gaged  with  the  enemy,  at  the  moment  when  a 
strong  party  of  the  enemy  advanced  on  the  rear 
of  Gen.  Wilkinson,  with  several  gallies  and  gun- 
boats ;  from  whenee  they  eommeneed  a  fire» 
but  were  soon  compelled  t^  retire  from  the  fire 
of  a  battery  of  18  pounders,  planted  on  the  oc- 
easion.  Wilkinson's  army  eaine  to  for  the 
night,  a  short  distance  above  the  Longue  Saut ; 
is  was  intended  to  pass  it  that  day,  but  the  de- 
lays occasioned  by  dis-embarking,  and  re-em-- 
barking,  heavy  guns^  jicc vented  the  army  from 


i^^ 


,i-  / 


HISTOBT  OF  TUB   WAR. 


">,  IK 


reaching  the   Saut  as  early  as  expected  ;  aofl 
the  pilots  would  not  dare  enter  the  Saut,  (a  ra- 
pid of  eight  inilcsy)  at  a  late  hour.     At  10  o  elock 
the  following  daj,  Gen.  Wilkinson  received  ad- 
vice* that  Gen.  Brown,  having  forced  the  ene- 
my* would  arrive  at  the   foot  of  Che   Saut  early 
in  the  day.    Orders  were    immediately  given 
for  the  flotilla  to  sail,  at  which  moment,  Uie  en- 
emy's gun-boats  appeared,  and  began  to  throw 
shells  among  the    American   flotilla.    General 
Wilkinson,  calculating  from  reports  and  appear- 
ances, that  the  enemy  only  looked  for   a  fa- 
vourable opportunity  for  attack,  had  determined 
to  anticipate  him.     **  Directions.*'  says  General 
Wilkinson,  «   were   aecordingly  sent»    b^  that 
distinguished  officer,  Col.  Swift  of  the  engmeers^ 
to  Brig.  Gen.  Boyd,  to  throw  thedetaehments  of 
his  command,  assigned  to  him  in  the  order  of 
the  preceding  day*  and  composed  of  men  of  bis 
own,  Covington's  and  Swartwout'r  brigades*  in- 
to three  columns*  to  march  upon  the  enemy,  out- 
flank him  if  possible,  and    take  his  artillery. 
The  action  soon  after  commeneed  with  the  ad- 
yanoed  body  of  the  enemy,  and  became  extreme^ 
ly  sharp  and  galling,  and,  with   occasional  pau- 
ses, not  sustained  with  great  vivaeity,  in  open 
space,  and  fair  combat,  for  upwards  of  two  and 
a  half    hours—the    adverse    lines    alternately 
yielding  and  advancing.     It  is  impossible  to  say* 
with  accuracy,  what  was  our  number  on  the 
field,  because  it  consisted  of  indefinite  detach- 
ments taken  from  thc^  boats,  to  surre;|der  safe  the 
passage  of  the  Saut.    Generals  Covington  and 
Swartwout,  voluntarily  took  part  in  the  action^ 
at  the  head  of  datachments»from  their  respec- 
tive brigades,  and  cxbibitc<l  the  same  courage 
that  was  displayed  by  Brig.  Gen  Boyd|  who  hap^ 


W'A 


■'^::.'. 


■^im 


«l 


llfl^ 


■'h^ 


i4t 


HISTORT  OV  TUK  WAR* 


■  '''Si 

•'■  Mm 


.'  '.** 


;»«?* 


.^*ill 


■■Al 


pened  <o  be  (he  senior  offleer  on  the  ground.-— 
Our  force  engaged  might  have  reached  16  or 
1700  nien»  but  aotuallj  did  not  exceed  1800  ; 
that  of  the  enemy  was  estimated  from  1:200  to 
2^000,  but  did  not  probably  amount  to  more  than 
15  or  1600— consislingf  as  I  am  Infbrmedt  of 
detachments  from  the  49th)  84tby  ami  10 ^th  re- 
giments of  the  line,  with  three  companies  of  tho 
Voltigeur  and  Glengary  corps,  and  the  militia 
of  the  country,  who  are  not  included  in  the  ei<« 
timaie.'* 

This  battle  (the  battle  of  WHIiamsburgh,)  wat 
oontested  ^viili  a  courage  and  obstinaey,.  that 
perhaps  had  no  parallel.  To  witness  undlsci- 
plined  troops,  and  inexperienced  offlcers,  substi- 
tuting courage  and  patriotism  in  plae«  of  mili- 
tary knowledge,  and  thus  opposed  for  tliret 
boors,  to  a  regular  army,  was  a  sight  on  which 
the  guardian  angel  of  America,  must  have  looked 
with  exulting  gratlfloation.  Amidst  a  shower 
ef  musketry  and  ^Arapitfl-shells,  the  brave 
Americans,  insensible  to  fear,  dashed  into  the 
ranks  of  the  enemy,  whose  position  was  strength- 
ened by  ravines  and  thickets.  The  enemy  re-, 
tired  for  more  than  a  mile  befbre  the  resolnto 
and  repeated  charges.  The  brigade,  first  en- 
gagedrhad  expended  its  ammunition,  and  was 
compelled  to  retire,  in  order  to  procure  a  sup- 
ply. This  movement  so  disconcerted  the  line, 
r\B  to  rendcv  it  expedient  for  another  brigade  to 
rctlfe.  The  artillery,  owjng  to  the  nature  of 
the  grount^  could  not  be  bfought  up  until  after 
this  event,  '^'he  fire  frOm  tho  artillery  was  ve- 
ry destructive  to  the  enemy;  but  when  direct- 
ed to  retire,  in  passing  a  deep  ravine,  one  piece 
wa^lost,  but  not  until  after  the  fall  of  its  gal- 


BISTORT  OF  THE  WIH. 


14^ 


lani  coininaDder»  Lieutenant  Smitb,  and  most  of 
liis  men.  ^ 

Tbc  Dvliole  of  the  line  ^as  rc-fornoed  on  the 
borders  of  Chose  vroods  from  Mhich  the  enemy 
hud  first  been  driven,  ivhcn  ni^ht  eoming  on^ 
and  the  storm  continuing  and  the  object  of  at- 
tack having  been  fully  accomplished,  the  troops 
"viere  directed  to  return  to  the  ground  near  the 
Aotillay  which  movement  was  executed  in  good 
order,  and  without  any  interruption  from  the 
enemy. 

General  Covington  received  a  mortal  wound 
while  leading  his  men  to  a  successful  charge.— «i 
Colonel  Preston  was  severely  wounded,  while 
fighting  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  jl^ligor 
Cummifs  received  a  severe  wound,  while  mak- 
ing a  charge,  but  yet  continued  to  fight  until 
exhausted  by  the  loss  of  blood.  General  Bo3d 
bus  taken  particular  notice,  in  his  oiBciai  des- 
patch, of  the  merits  of  Brig.  Gen.  Swartwout ; 
Cols.  Coles,  Waiback,  Johnson,  Pierce,  Gaines, 
Ripley,  and  Aspinwall ;  Majors  Morgan,  Craf- 
ton,  Gardner,  Beebe  and  Chambers  ;  Lieuten- 
ants Henry,  Whiting,  and'  Worth.  The  gen* 
cral  concludes  his  report  in  the  following  words  ; 
«  Permit  me  now  to  add,  sir,  that  though  the 
result  of  this  action  was  not  so  brilliant  and  de- 
cisive as  I  could  have  wished,  and  the  first  sta« 
ges  of  it  seemed  to  promise,  /et,  when  it  is  re- 
collected, that  the  troops  had  been  long  expos- 
ed to  hard  privations  and  fatigues,  to  inclement 
storms*  from  which  tJiey  could  have  no  shelter  ; 
that  the  enemy  were  superior  to  us  in  nuuibers, 
and  greatly  superior  in  position,  and  supporttd 
by  seven  or  eight  heavy  gun-boats  ;  that  the  ac- 
ti<m  being  unexpected,  was  necessarily  commet-er 
od,  without  mueh  concert ;  that  we  were,  by  imar 


■"t^-i 


'••i^^ii 


;  ii'' 


iu 


BItT«BT  OV  TBS   W4R. 


m 


fi  ^ 


rism/i   /> 


I.  -3 

^M^ 

-'^ 

'''IK 

■V'^ 

'jM 

'**4m 

M 

^^mi 

■a 

H» 

•a 

;jl 


tifl 


voi(lM^l^  olrcuffiHluneiw,  lung  deprived  of  our 
ariiiiery  ;  und  lliui  the  uvtion  wati  Wttinil^%  and 
olvMiinulei^'  cuiMeitted  I'oi*  iiiore  Itiun  three  liuiirsy 
during  whieli  (here  were  but  a  lew  ihorl  cebsH- 
tiuim  of  iitii«keti^  und  eHnnuii  ;  when  uil  ihttte 
oireumtilanees  are  revolleeiedt  |)erha|M  thin  da^, 
may  he  ihonght  io  have  aihfed  boine  repulauun 
to  (he  Anierkian  arnm.  And  if,  on  ihu  oeea- 
8ion,  vou  ihbll  helieve  me  to  have  done  m^  duty» 
and  uc»ompliHhed  any  one  of  your  pui  iM»8e8f  I 
shall  he  ratisHid."    ' 

Afttr  IhiH  engai^menl,  the  troops  proceeded 
down  (he  river  without  furtlier  annoyanoe  from 
the  enemy  or  tlieir  gunlioatB,  while  the  di*a- 
g<»onH,  with  ive  pieces  of  artillf ry«  nmrohed 
duwn  the  Conailiaii  tdiore  without  mole^taiion.— - 
llie  nitxt  morning  the  flotilla  parsed  through 
the  Hauty  and  joined  Genera)  Bruwa*  near  Corn* 
wall. 

'  On  the  arrival  of  General  ^ilkin^on  with 
General  Brown*  he  learnt  that  Cieneral  liamp- 
tf'n«  instead  of  meeting  him  near  that  pli^ee^  was 
marching  towards  l^ake  ('bamfrfain.  Ilie  letter 
of  General  Hampton,  announcing  this  unexpect- 
ed movenieiit«  together  with  a  copy  af  thiit  to 
mhioh  it  was  an  answer,  were  immediately  Mih- 
mitted   to  a  eouneil  of  war,  who  unanlmoufdy 

fave  it,  as  their  a|)inion,  <«  that  the  attark  on 
lontreal  should  lie  abandfHied  for  the  pres' nt 
season,  and  the  army  near  Cornwall  should 
be  immediately  crossed  to  ('he  Ameriotui  sliore, 
for  taking  up  winter  qmirters,  and  that  tlijs 
place  afforded  an  eligible  position  for  sueb  quar- 
ters." 

Thus  ended  the  campaign,  and  an  expedition 
vhieh  sremed,  in  every  resptM^t^  well  ealoulattd 
tf  eflbet  its  abjeet. 


"S 


f'  :<■'  •• 


BIt7r«RY  OT  TUB  WAB* 


i^ 


General  Wi1kiii9oo>  who  attrlbiiteii  the  fvA- 
lure  of  tbis  expedition  to  ••  tbe  extraopdinary^ 
unexampled,  and  it  apiiears,  unwarrantable  con- 
duct ol^  Major- Gen<^ral  Hampton,  in  refusing  to 
J«»in  tbis  array,  witb  a  division  of  4000  men,  uik 
der  htfl  command,  agreeable  tj  orders,*'  in  a  let-  * 
ter  to  tbe  secretary  of  war,  of  idtb  November^ 
writes — 

«  It  is  a  fact,  for  wbich  I  am  authorised  to^ 
pledge  myself,  on  tbe  most  confidential  author- 
ity, that  on  the  4th  of  the  present  month,  tbe 
British  garrison  of  Montreal,  consisted  solely 
of  400  marines,  and  %00  satlors,  wbich  had  been 
sent  up  tVom  Quebec.  l¥e  have,  witb  the  pro-  %^ 
vision  here^  and  that  feft  at  Chateaugay,  about 
40  day's  bubsistenoe,  to  whiob  1  shall  add  SO 
morc.'*^ 

In  a  letter  of  tbe  17th  November^  Gen.  Wil- 
kinson wriie»-^ 

<*  After  what  had  passed  between  as,  you  can 
perhaps,  eoneeive  my  amazement  and  chagrin, 
at  tbe  conduct  of  Mujor-General  Hampton.  The 
game  was  in  view,  and,  had  he  performed  (be 
junction  directed*  would  have  been  ours  in  eight 
dayj«*  But  he  cUose  to  recede  in  order  to  oo» 
operate,  and  my  dawning  hopes,  and  the  hopes 
ami  honour  of  tbe  army,  were  blasted,'' 

The  lo»s  at  tbe  battle  of  Williamsburgh,  in 
iUpper  Canada,  consisted  of  101  killed,  and  a39 
wounded,  including  officers.  Tbe  enemy's  loss 
was  represented,  by  authority  worthy  ofcredit» 
to  exceed  500  in  killed  and  wounded. 

'Statement  of  the  strength  of  the  enem^t  in  the  ac- 
tion of  the  1 1th  Novembefj  1 81 3^  on-  K^sler's  field*) 
in  WiUiamsburgh,  in  Upper  Ganada^-^founded  on 

^  ri«?the  separate  exammatioD  of  a- number  of  Bri^iii 
ipirisoaeratftken  on  the  field  0^  battle.  4 


v'i  \ 

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r£-B 


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BISTOBT  OV  THE  WA1U 


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Af^ 

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f®' 

■'^m 

I'M 

'« 

Of  the  89th  regtmenty 

49  th        do. 
Voltigeur's, 
Cilengary'st 
Of  the  100th, 

Canadian  Fencibles^ 
Indians 
ilncorporated  Militiai 


460  % 

4A0 

270 

80  one  company 
40  a  detachment  from 
Prescoit  .      .* 
220 

40 
3^0 


3i60 


■fr'; 


,'4 


Four  pieces  of  tnoynted  artillery,  and  seven  gim* 
^  boats — one  Dvounting  a  24-pounder. 

After  the  troops  went  into  winter  quarters,  a 
placard  wa^  distributed  In  the  American  camp* 
«f  which  the  following  is  a  copj. 

*<  To  the  Jimerican  •Brmy  at  Salmon  Eiver^ 

NOTICE. — All  American  soldiers  who  are  wil- 
ling to  quit  the  unnatural  war  in  which  they  ai  e  at 
present  engaged,  will  receive  at  the  British  out-posts, 
the  arrears  due  to  (hem  by  the  American  govern* 
inent,  to  the  extent  of  live  month's  pay.  No  man 
shall  be  required >to  serve  against  his  own  country." 

This  produced  no  desertions,  nor  any  other 
effect,  except  contempt  of  the  wretched  author 
•of  the  placard. 

A  very  hundsomo  affair  was  executed  the  1  ^h 
October,  by  a  party  of  men,  under  command  of 
Col.  Isaac  Clark.  The  Colonel,  with  his  party » 
left  Chazy  landing,  so  as  to  arrive  at  Massas- 
i]uoi-bay  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  He 
arrived  unperoeived  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
enemy,  wh«>  were  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle^ 
by  their  commander  Major  Powel.  The  en- 
emy commenced  a  fire  on  the  left  flank,  but  in 
ten  minutes  after  the  first  attack,  they  laid 
down  their  arms,  and  surrendered  themselves 
prisoners  of  war. 


UI'STOBT   09  THE   WAS. 


4i> 


|. 


^T 


Col,  Clark,  despatched  Capt.  Fincli,  vitli  his 
company^  to  reconnokre  the  course  of  a  body  of 
about  !£00  fnea>  who^  ¥^ere  supposed  to  be  ad- 
vancing against  hint.  Capt.  Finch  proceeded 
with  such  promptness  and  ability^  as  to  surprise 
and  capture  the  advanced  guai'd,  consisting  of 
cavalry,  except  one  man^  who  Hed^  and  giving, 
the  informationy  the  enemy  escaped. 

The  prisoners   were  then  put  on  board  boat9>  • 
and  sent  to  Burlington. 

The  whole  American  force  engaged  was  102* 
The  number  of  prisoners  taken  was  101 ;  th&  • 
killed  and'WOunded'Of  the  enemy,  23. 

The  success  of  this  expedition  was  materially 
aided  by  a  knowledge  of  the  country,  into  which 
be  marched,  which  a  commander  of  an  expedition' 
should  always  be  full  master  of. 

The  following  gallant  action  will  be  best  de- 
tailed by  giving  the-  official  report^  which  waft 
made  in   the  following  words  :  ,   ' 

•*'  Charleston^  ( 8.  C,J  August  21,  181^* 

"*«*  Sir— T  have  the  honour*  to  inform  you.  that  the^ 
privateer  schooner  Decatur,  ^o  this  port,  arrived  here 
yesterday,  with  H.  B,  M.  scliooner  Oominico,  her 
prize.  She  was  captured  on  the  5th  inst.  after  a  most 
gallant  and  desperate  action  of  one  hour,  and  carried 
by  boarding,  having  all  her  officers  killed  or  wound- 
ed, except  one  midshipman.  The  Dominico  mounts* 
15  guns,  one  a  33  pojunder,  on  a  pivot,  and  had  a  com- 
plement of  83  men  at  the  commencement  of  the  ac* 
tion,  60  of  whom  were  killed,  or  wounded.  She  wai|x 
one  of  the  best  equipped  and  manned  vessels  of  her, 
class  I  have  ever  seen.  The  Decatur  mouuts  seveoj,, " 
guns,  and  had' a  complement  of  103  men  at  the  com- 
mepcement  of  the  action,  nineteen  of  whom  were 
killed  And  wounded;  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  witb 
great  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  H.  DENT^ 
Hon..  Wm.  JoneS)  Secretary  of  the  Navy."  -  ^- 


#• 


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Diiriing  the  eombat^  yihieh  lasted  an  hour,  the 
l(itig*8  packet  ship.  Princess  Charlotte^  remained 
M  silent  speetatDT  of  the  scency  and  as  soon  as 
l^e  vessels  were  disengaged  from  each  other» 
^he  taehed  abont,  and  stood  to  the  southward. 
She  had  sailed  from  St.  Thomas,  bo»nnd  to  Eng-^ 
land,  nnder  convoy^  to  a  certain  latitude,  of  the 
Dominico. 

'  The  loss  on  board  the  Dominico  consisted  of 
dS  killed,  and  47  wounded ;  ^ve  of  whom  mortally. 

On  the  15tliofihis  month,  {August,  181S,) 
<tie  U.  8.  brig  Argns  was  captured  by  the  Bri- 
tish sloop  of  war  Pelican.  The  Argus  sailed 
fi'om  New- York,  the  Slst  June,  for  France,  and 
arrived  at  L'Orient,  after  a  passage  of  tS  days, 
where  Mr.  Crawford,  minister  from  the  United 
States,  to  the  court  of  Franee,  landed.  From 
IjC  Orient,  the  Argus  sailed,  on  a  cruise,  in  the 
British  channel,  where  she  fell  in  with  the  Bri- 
tish sloop  Pelican,  fitted  out  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  the  Argus.  The  action  was  well  sup- 
ported by  the  Americans  for  40  minutes,  wlien 
the  enemy  suceeeded  in  capturing  the  Argus, 
by  boarding.  The  number  of  killed  and  wotind- 
ed  on  board  the  American  will  best  explain  the 
bravery  with  which  the  ship  was  defended,  a- 
gainst  a  vessel,  which  the  Britisti  editors  ac- 
knowledged to  be  superior  in  siace  and  ttrma- 
liient.  Killed,  on  board  the  Argus,  2  midship- 
men, ^  seamen  ;  wounded,  mortally,  Capt.  Wm. 
H.  Allen,  commander,  1  carpenter,  1  boatswain's 
mate,  1  seaman ;  wounded,  severely,  Lieut.  Wat- 
son, 1  quarter-master,  S  seamen,  1  carpenter's 
mate  ;  wounded,  slightly,  8  ;  total,  ^. 

When  Captain  AHen  was  removing^  out  of  ibc^ 
Argus,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  he  ex- 
claimed^— «  God  Mesa  you,  my  laihf  W€  $haU  n€* 


W'r 


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HISTORY  OV  THE  WAR. 


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i^^The  Argus,  {previous  to  her  capture*  had  ta* 
ken  and  destroyed  21  sail  of  British  vessels.      ' 
vv^The  tbllowing  statemeut  will  show  the  force 
of  the  two  vessels. 

Argus — 16  'i^  pound  carronades,  2  long  9's-^ 
burthen  2i»8  tons,  91  men  fit  for  duty,  five  sicky 
the  rest  ahsent  in  prizes. 

Pelican — 22  32  pound  earronades,  two  long  Q'sr- 
and  two  swivels — burthen  584  tons,  179  men,  11 
of  them  volunteers  for  the  occasion^  from  ships^ 
at  Cork.  # 

On  the  5th  September,  the  U.  S.  brig  Enler- 
prts^,  William  Barrows,  com mander,  fell  in  witlk: 
%  B.  M.  brig  Boxevt  Gapt.  Biythe.  The  Bri- 
tish  brig  was  discovered  at  anchor,  in  shore,  at 
five  o'clock,  A.  M.  Pifenmaqpid  bearing  north, 
eight  miles  distance*  After«  some  manoeuvring, 
the  brigsapproachedat  a  quarter  past  three,  f,  m. 
wHhin  half  pistol  shot  of  each  other,  when  the 
action  commenoedfc  At  20  minutes  past  three, 
the  brave  commander  of  the  Enterprize  fell,  mor-^ 
tally  wounded  ;  while  lying  on  the  deck,  he  re- 
fused to  be  carried  below,  raised  his-  head,  and 
requested  "  that  the  flag  might  never  be  strtick.'* 
Thus  lay  the  intrepid  Burrows,  until  he  learned 
the  result  of'  the  action,  when,  clasping  his 
hands  be  said,  <<  T'die  contented.^*  He  was  thea 
taken  below,  and  died  in  eight  hours  afterwards. 
At  four  F.  M.  the  enemy  eeased  firing,  and  cried' 
out  for  quarters ;  saying,  that  as  their  colours 
were  nailed,  they  could  not  haul  them  down  ;-* 
a  sufiioient  proof  that  it  was  resolved  never  to 
yield  to  a  Yankee  crew*  Some  of  the  creW'  of~ 
the  Boxer  has  acknowledged,  that  she  left  port 
with  a  complement  of  115  picked  men,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  the  Enterpri%e  $  that  six  mew 
were  put  on  board  a  prize,  and  six  ashore  onihcie 


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islaifd  of  Bfanliiggin,  leaving  ^n  board,  wben 
the  action  eominencedy  104  ;  whieb  account  a  • 
grees  ^ith  the  mnsti^ip-book,  found  on  board  of 
the  Boxer.  The  number  of  killed  and  i/vonnded 
on  board  the  Boxer,  could  not  be  ascertained 
ividi  certainty,  as  many  of  the  former  irere 
thrown  overboai*d.  The  senior  offieer  of  the 
Enterprize  states  it,  from  the  best  information 
lie  could  obtain  at  between  29  and  SO  killed,  and 
1^  114  wounded.  Captain  Bly  the,  the  commander  of 
f^  the  Boxer,  was  among  the  killed.  The  follow^ 
ing  extract  of  a  letter  from  Capt.  Hull  to  Com. 
Bainbi'idge,  is  too  important  to  be  omitted. 

*<  I  yesterday  visited  the  two  brigs,  and  was  as* 
tonished  to  see  the  difference  of  injury  sustained  in 
the  action.  The  Enterfirize  has  but  one  IB  pound 
«hot  in  her  hull,  one  in  her  main-mast,  and  one  hi  her 
fore-mast ;  her  sails  are  much  cut  with  grape  shot^ 
iind  there  are  a  gt^eat  number  of  grape  lodged  in  her 
sides,  but  no  injury  done  by  them.  The  Baxtr  has 
eighteen  or  twenty  1 8  pound  shot  in  her  hull,  most 
of  them  at  the  water's  edge  ;  several  stands  of  1 8 
pound  grape  stick  in  her  side,  and  such  a  quantity 
of  small  grape,  that  1  did  not  undertake  to  count 
them.  Her  masts,  sails  and  spars,  are  literally  cut 
to  pieces,  several  of  her  guns  dismounted  and  un- 
lit for  service  \  her  top-gallant  fore-castle  nearly  ta- 
ken off  by  the  shot ;  her  bo^ts  cut  to  pieces,  and 
her  quarters  injured  in  proportion.  To  give  you 
ah  idea  of  the  quantity  of  shot  about  her,  I  inform 
you,  that  I  counted  in  her  main-mast  albncj  three  1 8 
^ound  shot  holes,  18  large  grape  shot  holes,  16 
musket  ball  holes,  and  a  large  number  of  Bmalier 
shot  holes,  and  'Without  counting  above  the  eat  har- 
pins.  We  find  it  impossible  to  get  at  the  number 
killed  ;  no  papers  are  found  by  which  we  can  ascer- 
tain it-— I,  however,  counted  upwards  Of  90  ham* 
aiocks,  ifhich  were  in  her  netting  irith  (bedt  iti 


iM: 


HUTORT  Ot  THE  WAS* 


151 


themt  lieaides  several  beds  wlthowt  hammocks  ; — 
she  has  excellent  accommodations  for  all  her  offi»~ 
eers  below  in  state  rooms,  ae  that  1  have  no  doubt 
that  she  had  300  men  on  board.  We  know  that 
she  has  several  of  the  Rattler's  men,  and  a  quantity 
of  wads  was  taken  out  of  the  Ratler,  loaded  with 
four  Urge  grape  shot)  with  a  small  hole  in  the  ceotre^ 
to  put  in  a  cartridge,  that  the  inside  of  the  wad  may 
take  fire  when  it  leaves  the  gun.  In  short,  she  is 
in  every  respect  completely  fitted  s  and  her  accom- 
modations exceed  any  thing  I  have  seen  in  a  vessels 
of  het*  class."  J 

If  there  is  an  American  who  would  deny  tbi 
honour  due,  on  this  occasion,  to  the  American) 
tars^  let  him  read  the  following  from  a  London 
paper,  and  yield,  however  unwillingly,  the  palm 
to  the  first  nation  in  the  world,  the  hitherto  des- 
pised citizens  of  the  United  States.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  cQpy  of  the  extract  allnded  to. 

«  Among  the  ^tneriean  news,  which  is  to  be  found : 
in  the  papers  just  received  from  that  country,  it 
pains  us  to  find  a  full  con0rmation  of  the  loss  of  his . 
majesty *s  brig  Boxer ^  which  has  added  another  lau- 
rel to  the  naval  honours  of  the  United  States.     The 
vessel  by   which  she  was  captui^ed  is  represented 
(falsely,  we  believe,)  as  of  only  eq«al  force  with  her- 
self.; bat  what  we  regret  to  perceive  stated,  and ; 
trust  will  be  found  much  exaggerated,  is  that  the 
Boxer  wa«  literaUy  cut   to  fiiecea^  in  taiky  rigffinff, 
afiars  and  htill  ;  whilst  the  Enterprise,  (her  antago- 
gonisti)  vHtttin  a  ntuationto  commence  a  dmilar  action 
wmmediaPeiy  ofttrward^a.    The  fact  seems  to  be  but 
too  clearly  estaUisbed,    that  the    Americans  have 
4ome  aufierior  mode  of  Jiring\  and  we  cannot  be 
too  anxiously  employied  in  discovering  to  what  cir- . 
cumstances  that  superiority  is  owing.     The  Boxer 
was  certakily  not  lost  for  want  of  heroism.    The 
British  captain  nailed  his  colours  to  the  mast,  and 
bippily  didlnotfiiyo  to  see  them  struck.    Both  com^- 


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HI.  roRT  Ot  THE  WAR, 


mandera  died  in  the  action)  which  appears  to  havd 
been  of  the  most  desperate  kind  ;  and  both  were 
buried  at  the  same  time)  in  the  port  to  which  the 
prize  was  carded." 

The  loss  on  board  the  Enterprize  was — one 
ordinary  seaman  killed^  one  oommauder, (Bur- 
rows,) one  midshipman,  (K.  Waters,)  tme  car- 
penter's mate,  moitally  wounded ;  three  quarter- 
masters^  one  boatswain's-mate,  five  seamen,  one 
marineywounded.r— Total — 14. 

The  remains  of  the  gallant  commanders^ 
(Burrows- and  Rlythe,)^  were  buried  in  Portland, 
with  military  honours*  Capt.  filytbe,  of  the 
Boxer,  was  one  of  the  pall-bearers  at  the  fune- 
ral honours  paid  to  the  late  Captain  Lawrence, 
at  Halifax. 

The  following  memorial  was  caused  to  be  inscrib- 
ed on  the  monument  of  thf  gallant  Lieut.  Burrowsi 
of  Portland,  by  Mr.  M.  L.  Davis,  of  New-York  ; 

BENEATH    THIS    STONE 

Moulders  |^''^ 

THfc  BODY  OF  '  -mp-mMis 

1VILJ.  lAM  BURRO  WS^ 
4         -  Late  Commander  of  the 

UNITED  STATES»  BRIG  ENIERPRIZE, 

Who  was  mortally  wounded  on  the  5ch  of  September, 
1813,  in  an  action  which  contributed  to  increase 
the  fame  of  American  valour,  by  capturing  his 
BRIT.  MAJESTY'S  BRIG  BOXER, 
after  a  severe  contest  of  45  minutes. 
A  pasfting  stranger  has  erected  this  monumentof  re- 
spect to  the  manes  of  a  patriot,  who  in  the  hour  of 
peril,  obeyed  the    loud  summons  of  an  injured 
country,  and  who  gallantly  met,  fought  and  con- 
quered the  foemen. 

The  U.  S.  brig  Enterprize,  was  formerly  H 
schooner,  and  is  the  same  vessel  with  whiett 
JMvlU  SterretVin  August^lSOl;  captured  7C^t/k<^ 


% 


BIBTOBT  Onp  TRE   VAB. 


ids 


ml  the  loss  qfa  man,  the  Tripolitan  «hip  of 
war  Tripoli,  of  14  guns, and  85  inen>  50  of  wliom 
were  killod  ami  wouadcd. 

By  a  resolution  of  Congrest,  the  President  of 
tke  United  States  was  requested  to  present  to 
tlie  nearest  mate  relative  of  iietit.  WJUiam  Bur- 
rows, und  to  Lieut.  R.  M'Call»  of  the  hrig  En- 
terpr>  ,  f  Id  medal ;  and  a  silver  medal  to 
eaeh  oJ  the      nmissioned  tZl^Tdof  said  vessel; 

The  President  of  the  United  States^  having 
•onsidered  the  Boxer  as  equal  in  force  to  tho 
Enterpriae,  has  ordered  her  to  be  delivered  up 
for  the  benefit  of  the  captors. 

Com.  Bodgers  arrived  at  Newport^  the  -26^ 
Septmber^  in  the  frigate  Pre$ddent»  having 
siWid  Srom  Boston^  on  his  third  oruiscy  in  eom- 
pacy  'with  the  Congress,  the  SOth  of  April  pre» 
ceding.  After  parting  company  with  the  Con- 
gress, on  ike  8th  May,  in  Ion.  60  W.  lat«  ao, 
30,  N.  be  bUa^^ed  his  course  to  the  southward 
of  the  Grand  Bank,  with  the  view  to  intercept 
tlie  enemy's  West- India  trade :  being  disap- 
pointed in  this  quarter,  he  pursued  a  route  to 
the  northward,  on  a  parallel  with  the  eastern 
edge  of  the  Grand  l&nk,  so  as  to  eross  the 
tracks  of  the  West- India,  Halifax,  Quebec,  an^ 
St.  John's  trade.  Not  being  successful,  alYer 
reaching  the  latitude  of  48  N.  he  steered  to- 
wards the  Azores,  off  which  he  continued  until 
the  6th  June,  without  meeting  an  enemy's  ves- 
sel. From  hence,  he  erowdtMd  sail  to  the  N.  E. 
in  search  of  an  enemy's  convoy,  which  he  learn- 
ed was  seen  sailing  from  the  West  Indies,  to 
England.  Although  disappointed  in  falling  ill 
with  the  convoy,  he  nevertheless  made  four  cap- 
tures, the  9th  and  13th  of  June.  This  brjought 
him  so  far  to  the  north  and  tast^  that  b«  re^ 


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HISTORT  Of  TBB  ITIA*.^ 


Bolved  on  ^oV^;  into  (he  North  Sea.  He  fitot 
into  North  Bergen  on  the  27th  June,  to  procure 
provisions  and  water,  not  having  seen  any  ene- 
iny's  vesselssinee  Uie  isth.  At  Bergen  he  eould 
proouve  only  watvr,  and  departed  from  thenee 
Ihe  2d  July,  stirtehing  over  towards  the  Ork* 
ney-l8^dnd8 ;  and  from  thenee  towards  the 
North  Cape,  in  search  of  a  British  eonvoy,  that 
vas  to  sail  from  Archaiigel,  of  whieh  he  ob- 
tained information  from  tv/o  vessels,  whieh  he 
captured  on  the  13th  and  18th  July.  In  thi8« 
object  he  was  disappointed,  by  the  appearance 
of  two  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war^a  lin^  of  bat-^ 
tie  ship,  and  a  frigate,)  off  the  North  Cape,  on 
the  19th  July.  The  President  was  chased  by 
these  two  ships  for  80  hours,  but  effected  her  es- 
cape. The  Commodore  next  proceeded  to  a  sta- 
tion where  he  might  intercept  the  trade  passing^ 
int4)andout  if  the  Irish  channel.  In  this  posi- 
tion he  maL  three  captures,  between  the  25tb 
July,  and  1st  August ;  when,  fearing  the  g?eat 
superior  force  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter,  he 
changed  his  ground ;  and,  after  taking  a  circuit 
round  Ireland,  and  getting  into  the  latitude  of 
Cape  Clear,  he  steered  for  tlie  Banks  of  New- 
foundland, near  whieh  be  made  two  captures. 
From  the  Banks,  he  steered  for  the  United 
States  ;  and,  being  short  of  provisions,  was  com- 
pelled to  make  the  first  port,  into  which  he  could 
safely  enter.  He  brought  in  with  him  H.  B.  M. 
schooner  High  Flyer,  a  tender  to  Admiral  War« 
ren,  captured  on  the  a3d  July.  He  took  27% 
prisoners  :  216  of  whom  were  sent  home  in  car^ 
tels,  and  55  brought  home  in  the  President. 

The  movements,  on  the  Niagara  frontier,  be^ 
gan  at  tUis  time  to  wear  a  very  serious  aspect*^  '^ 


mSTOHT  OV  TBE  WAH. 


iS$ 


The  following  address  was  circulated  in  thf 
West'^rn  dlnirlct  of  the  state  of  New-York. 

•»  TO  THE  PATRIOTS  OF  THE  WESTEim 

DlSTRICr. 

«  The  period  h*i'in^  ut  hund  which  is  to  decide 
the  fate  of  he  province  of  Upp  ;r  Canada,  and  the 
cointnand  of  the  Nid^ira  frontier  having;  devolved 
on  me,  1  think  p  opcr  to  invite  the  old  an  t  y  >uiig 
patriut«  of  the  VVestern  District  to  je^iji  my  brigade 
in  defence  of  their  country  and  rights  ->any  number 
not  t-xceuding  iOOO,  will  be  exocpied  a<id  organized 
immediateiy  on  their  arrivd  at  LewisMn,  and  offi- 
cered by  the  ctioice  of  their  men.  As  the  move- 
monts  of  an  army  requir<^  secrecy,  objects  In  view 
cannot  be  particularly  developed  ;  but  those  who  feel 
disposed  to. distinguiiih  themselves,  and  render  ser« 
vices  to  their  country,  may  be  assumed  that  some* 
thing  efficient  un4  decisive  will  be  done.  The  term 
of  service  will  be  two  months,  if  not  sooner  discharg. 
ed  :  and  every  thing  shall  be  done  to  rend  r  their 
situations  as  comiurtiMe  as  possible.  I  wish  none 
to  volunteer  who  may  have  any  constitutional  objec- 
tions to  cross  the  Niagara  river:  1400  of  m^ bri- 
gade have  alrea  iy  volunteered  to  crosw  the  river 
and  go  where. ever  they  may  be  rt  quired 4  and  600  of 
them  are  now  doing  duty  at  Fort  George.  I  Matter 
myself  that  no  other  consideration  need  be  urged, 
th<in  love  of  country,  to  excite  the  patraotism  oi'the 
yeomanry  of  the  Western  District. 

Given  at  head-quarters,  ^Lewiston,  October  3d 
1813* 

GEORGE  M'CLURE    Brig.  Gen. 
Commanding  Niagara  Frontier.^ 

A  oonsiderable  number  of  patriotio  volunteers 
flocked,  on  this  occasion,  to  the  standard  of  Geiu 
M'Clure. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  the  generaPg 
tetter  to  Governor  Tonopkinsi  of  the  state  of 


.'A    ■■■■■•  ; 


i8i 


mrroiT  ov  tbm  wim. 


i':,"' 


'Sow  Yovkf   dated    Fort  €feorgf^   Mh  Oe(6f»fr9 

(*  We  have  aommtnced  oir^nslye.  operations  a« 
gainst  the  enemy.  About  500  militia  volunteers, 
and  about  1<50  Indiuns,  commanded  hf  Gok  Chapin, 
attacked  the  picket  i;  Uttrd  of  the  enemy  about  a  mile 
snd  a  hdlf  from  Fort  GeoRge,.  and  drove  them  in 
iLpon  the  main  body,  when  the  enemy:  opened  ai  fire 
Ihom  several  fit^ld  piece*.  Our  men  r  tired  in  good 
order  into  the  fort  with  the  losi  of  one  man  killed 
and  two  or  three  wounded;  The  enenny^s  loss  was 
f:  ki!led,  muny  wounded,  and  four  prisoners. 

**  in  a  short  time,  the  enemy  appeared  in  e«n?*derw 
able  force  within  500  yards-  of  the  fort,  at'  the'  edge 
of  the  woods;  1  h»pin  again  sallied  out  with?  about 
SOO  men,  and  some  Indiansroommenced  a.  brisks  fire 
on  the  whole  of  the  enemy ^s <  llne^  and  drove  tliem 
balf  a  mile-— hut,  perceiving,  by  th^  movements  of 
the  eriemyt.  that  they  wouid  outflank  us^  I  ordered 
SCO  to  reinforce  him,  and;  in  two  dt^tuchments,.  to  afr- 
tuck  the  enem>'s  fiankse.  We  euoceeiicd  in  driving 
the  enemy  into  the  woods,  when  night  coming  on, 
put  an  end  to  the  conflict.  Our  toss  was  trifling  ; 
1  have  not  ascertained  that  of  the  enemy.  Colenel 
Chapin  t9>  a  brave  man.  £\ery>  ofiker  and  soldier 
did  his  dutf  .'* 

Col.  Chapin,  in  a  private  letter,  to  a  iV'i^nd  in 
Btiffaloe,  thus  details  the  brush,  be  bad  witb  the 
enenay. 

**  While  at  dinner  I  received  information  of  the 
British  army  being  in  the  toun  of  Newark.  I  im- 
mediately rallied  a  party  of  100  mesvi^nd  commenc- 
ed a  fire  upon  them,  who  returned  it  with  much 
warmtii — -we  kept  the  ground  till  we  were  rein*- 
forced  by  60  Indians,  and  100  militia  With  this 
force,  we  compelled  the  enemy  to  retreati  and  pur- 
sued them  one  and  a  half  miles,  when  we  received 
a  reinforcement  of  roo  men :  with  this  force,  we 
drove  them  half  a  mile  furtheri  where  they  covered 


.  nUTOBY  OV  THE   WAR. 


15/ 


themaelvei  in  a  ravJne»  and  opened  a  most  tremen- 
dcus  fire  of  musk  try  upon  us.  After  an  hour  and 
a  half  hard  fii$htingt  we  drove  them  from  the  r^yinet 
buck  to  the  batteries— -it  being  now  nearly  dark)  we 
returned  in  good  order. 

<*  From  some  deserters*  and  a  prisoner  we  took, 
we  learn  that  we  had  contended  with  the  whole  Bri- 
tish armv,  consisting  of  1  lOo  men,  with  the  great 
Cien.  Vincent  at  their  head;  and  thai  we  killed  S3. 
Our  loss  was  four,  killed  and  wounded.'* 

Major  Chapin  has  recently  been  brevetted 
lieutenant  tsolonel,  in  the  Uniteil  States'  army. 

(ten.  M*Clure,  with  the  New- York  militia, 
TolunteerSf  and  Indians*  succeeded  in  driving  the 
Brilish  army  from  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Gcoi'ge. 
and  pursued  them  as  far  «s  Tweive-mile-creek. 
Col.  Scotty  who  commanded  at  Fort  GcorgCy 
having  infbrmef!  Gen,  M*Clure,  that  he  was  un-^ 
der  oraers  to  leave  that  place  with  the  regulars* 
the  general  was  compelled  (o  abandon  his  design* 
and  return  to  Fort  George. 

It  was  General  M^Clure's  wish,  by  the  aid  of 
the  regitlar  troops,  to  clear  Upper  Canada  above 
Kingston,  of  the  British  armies,  to  establiiith  a 
temporary  government,  secure  the  friendship 
and  if  necessary,  the  co-operation  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  compel  the  Indians  to  separate  them- 
Bclves  from  the  enemy,  or  iiecorapany  them  in 
tlieir  retreat.  That  this  could  be  effeoted,  can 
scarcely  be  doubted,  but  it  was  necessarily  aban- 
doned in  favour  of  a  design  which  originated  with 
the  general  government,  and  which,  had  it  sue- 
oeeded,  would  have  been  more  important.  The 
regular  troops  were  principal  ly  drawn  from  the 
Kiagara  frontier,  to  co-o|ierate  with  Gen.  Wil- 
kinson in  his  intended  attack  on  Montreal.  Gen* 
HiurnfioiiV  acmy  was  also  ordered  lo  Sftekei'e 


i  i^isifipip;  ■  |1 


0^ 


1^ 


ti 


¥• 


m 


r 


I 


'il- 


isti 


iriSTOST  Of  THX  WAH. 


•1.1 


[k 


•^*i 


r- 


■^ 


Harbour,  fjen.  M'CIure  cndeaToared  to  inlltt- 
nnoe  Gen.  Harrison  to  aid  him  in  attacking  th« 
enemy  ;  but  the  Instructions  from  tlie  general 
government  were  positive  ;  and  Com.  Cbaun* 
«ey  had  arrived  >».ith  bis  fleet  to  remove  the 
troops  to  Saeket's  Harbour.  The  force  I'emaiii- 
ingwitb  Gen.  M<Clure»  was  barely  suffioient  to 
defend  Fort  George.,  and  entirely  inadequate  to 
oiTensive  operations  ;  and  this  foree,  whieh  the 
general  stated  to  be  •<  ungovernable,"  woiilo 
soon  be  reduced  by  the  expiration  of  their- term, 
of  service. 

The  militia  returned  to  <heir  homes,  ^Uh  the 
exception  of  a  few  tliat  were  induced  to  remain 
beyond  the  term  of  their  enlistment.  The  gene- 
ral finding  his  force  redueed  to  a  number  inade- 
quate to  defend  his  post,  and  the  enemy  advanced 
vvi<hin  a  few  miles  of  him,  he  called  a  council  of 
ofiieers,  and  put  to  them  the  question,  **  Is  the 
fort  tenable  with  the  present  number  of  men  T' 
They  were  unanimous  in  the  opinion,  that  if 
vas  not  tenubic.  The  arms,  ammunition,  and, 
public  stores,  were  immediately  sent  across  the 
river,  and  as  a  measure  deemed  necessary  to 
the  safety  of  the  troops,  the  town  of  Newark 
^as  burned.  ••  This  act,  (said  Gen.  M<C  lure,)' 
liowever  distressing  to  the  inhabitants,  and  my 
feelings,  was  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War^ 
and  I  believe,  at  the  same  time,  proper.^*  The 
inhabitants  had  twelv^  hours'  notice  to  remove 
their  efiects*  and  such  as  ehose  to  cross  the  river, 
^ere  provided  with  all  the  necessaries  of  liftt. 

Capt.  Leonard  was  left  in  command  at  Fort! 
Niagara,   with  150  regulars;  Colonel  Grieves,- 
with  20  men   and  two  pieces  of  artillery  was  at' 
lif  wistoo  ;  Major    M^llory,  with  40  Canadjaa  ^ 
militia^  were  stationed  at  Schloi^ser ;  and  the 


«,.ii 


HirrORT  OF  TUB   WAR. 


159 


central  went  to  BuOTnloe,  to  provide  for  the 
safHy  of  lli»t  place,  ami  DIaok  lioek.  ^ 

From  Bufi*<iloe»  General  ]V1*Clurc  issued  an 
adtli'ees  to  I  be  inliabitants  of  tlie  counties  of 
lyfiagara,  Genessee»  and  CIiatn{;ue,  apprizing 
tJicni  of  the  menaced  invasion  of  tltat  frontier, 
and  calling  on  them  to  repair  to  Lewistony 
Sohlos8er»  and  Butfaloe*  for  the  purpose  ofde- 
feuding  their  couotrj  and  home  agajnst  a  bar^ 
barous  cnt^m^*  This  was  too  late  to  produce  the 
desired  elft'Ct. 

.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  December,  about 
four  o^olock,  the  enemy,  oonsii^^ing  of  regulars, 
militia  and  Indians*  to  the  numbei,  by  t'  d  mmt 
probable  account,  ofldOO  men,  crossed  tae  Ni* 
agara  river  at  Five- mile  meadow^  and  advanc^it 
against  Fort  Niagara,  which  tlirj  completely 
surprised,  entering  it  while  the  men  were  near- 
ly all  asleep,  and  killing,  without  merey  or  dis- 
crimination, (hose  who  eame  in  their  way.  It 
will  be  recollected  that  an  attack  on  this  place 
was  expected,  and  that  Captain  Leonard,  who 
commatoded,  had  directions  accordingly  ;  yet 
General.M<Glure  oltserves, 'in  his  offloial  des- 
patch, *<  I  am  induced  to  think  that  the  disaster 
it  not  attributable  to  any  want  of  troops,  hiit  to 
p'oss  neglect  in  the  crfirnanding  offijctr  of  tha 
3^ort,  Captain  Leonard,  in  not  preparing,  oeing 
ready,  and  looking  oat  for  the  expected  attack.**^ 
It  appears  by  another  leltter  from  Gen.  M'^ClurCy 
<>  that  Captain  lieonard  was  not  in  the  fort  at  tho 
time  of  the  attaek,  having  left  it  at  a  late  hour 
the  preceding  evening.'^ 

On  the  same  morning  on  which  Niagara  was 
taken,  a  detachment  of  militia  stationed  at 
Lewiston,  under  command  of  Major  Bennetr 
was  attacked  by  a^  strong  party  of  the  enomy» 


I 


.«»■■' 


1i-*^^' 


u>  :v% 


d69 


HISTOIIT  OF  THE  WAR. 


W. 


hut  the  major  and  his  few  men  cut  their  way 
urith  great  bravery  through  several  hundreds 
of  savages  and  others^  bj  whom  thejr  were  sur- 
rounded. The  villages  of  Youngstewn,  Lewis- 
tony  Manchester,  the  Indian  Tuscarora  viltage» 
and  all  the  intervening  houses,  were  bume^ 
ondmany  of  the  inhabitants  inhumanely  butcher- 
ed, without  respect  to  age  or  sex,  by  saTages^c 
headed  by  British  officers  painted.  Major  MaU 
lory,  who  was  stationed  at  Schlosser^  with  about 
40  Canadian  militia,  boldly  advanced  to  Lewis* 
ton  heights,  and  compelled  the  enemy  to  fall 
back  to  the  foot  of  tbe  mountain  :  for  two  days 
the  major  continued  to  resist  the  advance  of  the 
enemy,  disputing  every  inch  of  ground  to  the 
Tautawanty  ereelL.  »*#; 

Major-General  Hall,  on  hearing  the  danger- 
ous and  exposed  state  of  the  frontier,  hastened 
to  Batavia  ;  and,  on  the  morning  of  the  2Sd  De- 
oember,  at  the  request  of  General  M<Clurc» 
took  the  chief  (Command  of  the  men  then  assem- 
bling to  repel  the  enemy.  There  was  a  great 
deficiency  of  ammunition  and  arms,  ^ith  what 
could  be  procured,  the  general  coAimenced  his 
march  towards  Lewiston  on  the  25th,  having 
under  his  command  130  infantry,  under  Lieut. 
Col.  Lawrence,  supported  by  one  eompany  of 
cavalry,  under  Captain  Marvin^  and  in  the  ex- 
pectation to  join  a  corps  of  militia,  said  to  be 
^00  strong,  under  Lieut.  Colonel  Atcheson,  which 
was  stationc^d  fifteen  miles  east  from  Lewiston, 
whh  instructions,  if  possible,  to  join  the  main 
force  at  Bufiii^oe.  On  the  momlag  of  the  26th, 
General  Hall  arrived  at  Buffaloe,  where  he  found 
a  considerable  body  of  irregular  troops  of  vari- 
ous descriptions.  General  M<Clure  was  left  in 
command  at  Batavia.    On  the  27th  the  troops 


-  M^ 


MMii'-    ■-#- ■-'i' ,s^,,  *•.*." 

histohy  ov  the  wak. 


161 


I 


fht  BliSaloe  and  Blaok  Roek,  ivere  reviewed^  and 
foil  ml  (o  eondsty  ia  tiie  aggregate,  including  In- 
dians* of  17ii  .men*  which   were  increased*  or^ 
the  morniftg  of'tho  29th,  by  about  SOO  mcny 
giving  an  entire  ibrce  of  20U  men  ^  but  this 
foro6  Was  soon  reduced,  by   desertion,  to  1200  f 
and  even  these  so  deficient  in  ammunition,  that 
a  part  of  the  catridges  were  made  and  distribu- 
ted after  the  men  were  paraded  for  battle^  oiv 
the  morning  of  the  30th.  ,,|  ^^^ua.  .  »i*  5|j^(*«-  ,.  4** 
In  the  evening  of  the  29th,  at  12  o'cIoek»  tue 
horse  patrole  had  been  fired  on,  a  short  distanee 
below  Coiyoktie's  creek,  and  one    mile    (>elow 
Black    fi«K$k«     The  troops  were  immediately 
paraded,  and  stdod  by  their  arms.     An  attempt 
wi^smadeto  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  sai- 
]op^»  battery  near  Conjoktie's,  of  which  he  had 
obtained  possession*  The  attempt  failed,  througU 
the  darkness  of  the  night,  and   confusion  into- 
Whiok'the  militia  were  thrown  by  the  enemy's 
fire*    A  seoond  body  of  militia,  sent  on  the  same' 
service,  was    equally    unsucccs!»fu1 ;    the  men« 
after  a  short  skirmish,  fled  in  disorder.    A  third 
detachment  wa»' ordered  on.  the  same  service, 
but  was  Feoalled  to  oppose  a  body  of  men  which 
'wa»  diseovered,  as  the  day  dawned,  crossing  the. 
river.     As  soon  as  the  foroe  of  the  enemy  was- 
ascertained  to  be  large,    and    commanded  1^ 
Lieut.  Col.  Ilrunamond,  and  their  position   re-       # 
Gonnviteredr  the  best    possible   disposition  was        ■'' 
made  to  oppose^  them,  with  a  foree  inferior  in 
nnmber,  a»  it  was  in  experienoe,  and  ammuni-'  .'0- 
tloss  of  war;    General  Hall  thus  briefly  details 
the  eflfect: 

-  « The  attack  was  ¥briiinenced  by  a  fire  from'  our 
^x  pounder  under  lieut.  Seely,  b^low  genera)  Por- 
ter's house,  and  one  34  and  two  li2  pounder^^  {it  tb^e- 

0 «  *        •     '■ 


'i 

n 


i 


fii 


i 


>> ' 


'tJ 


1(2 


bistout  ev  the  wait. 


ft,:5 


battery,  under  command  of  lieut.  Famuni)  ofthtf 
SIst  U.  S.  Infantry,  acting  as  a  volunteer.  At  tho 
same  time  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire  from  their 
batteries  on  the  opposite,  side  of  the  river,  of  shellsy 
spherical  and  hot  shot,  and  ball.  The  regiment  un- 
der command  of  Col.  Blakeslie,  about  400  strongi 
were  regularly  in  line,  together  with  detached  bo- 
dies from  other  corps,  amounting,  according  to  the 
best  estimate  I  can  make,  in  all  about  600  men.— 
These  few  but  brave  men,  commenced  the  attack 
ivith  muske.try  upon  the  enemy  in  their  boats,  and 
poured  upon  them  a  most  destructive  fir^.  Every 
inch  of  ground  was  disputed  with  the  steady  cool- 
ness of  veterans,  and  at  the  expense  of  many  valua- 
ble lives.  Their  bravery,  at  the  same  trme  that  it 
casts  a  lustre  over  their  names,  reflects  equal  dis* 
grace  on  those  who  fled  at  the  first  appearance  of 
Sanger-— and  whom  nehber  intreaties  nor  threats 
could  turn  back  to  the  support  of  their  comrades; 
(<  Perceiving  that  the  Indians,  on  whom  I  had  re^ 
lied  for  attacking  the  enemy's  flanks  were  offering 
us  no  assistance— and  that  our  right  was  endanger- 
ed by  the  enemy's  left,  I  gave  directions  for  the  re- 
aervc,  under  command  of  Col.  M^Mahan,  to  attucli; 
the  enemy  in  flank  on^  our  right.  But  terror  bad 
dissipated  this  corps,  and  but  few  of  them  could  be 
I'aMied  by  their  officers  and  brought  to  the  attack. 
Of  this  corps  there  are  some  who  merit  well  of 
their  country— but  more  who  covered  themselves 
with  disgrace.  The  defection  of  the  Indians '  and  of 
my  reserve,  and  the  loss  oi  the  services  of  the  ca- 
valry and  mounted  men,  by  reason  of  the  native  o^ 
the  ground  on  which  they  must  act,  left  the  forees 
engaged  exposed  to  the  enemy's  <  fire  ii>  front  and 
flank.  After  standing  their  ground  for  about  one 
half  hour,  opposed  to  veterans  and  higlUy  discip- 
lined troops,  overwhelmed  by  numbers,  and  nearly- 
surrounded,  a  retreat  became  necessary  to  tjheir 
safety,  which  was  accordingly  made.  I  then  mude 
every  effog^  to  rally  the  troops  with  a  view  to  renew 


'ii 


mSTOKT  OT  THE  WAHr 


165 


the  attack  on  the  enemy's  columnst  on  their  ap* ' 
proach  to  the  village  of  Buffaloe.  But  every  effort 
proved  ineffectual ;  and  experience  proves,  that  with' 
militia  a  retreat  becomes  a  flighty  and  a  battle  once 
endedt  the  army  is  dissipated.  Deserted  by  my 
principal  force,  I  fell  back  that  night  to  the  Eleven 
Mile  Creek)  and  was  forced  to  leave  the  flourishing 
villages  of  black  Rock  and  Buffaloe,  a  prey  w  the 
enemy,  which  they  have  pillaged  and  laid  in  ashes." 

General  Hall  retired  to  Eleren  Mile  Creek 
where  He  collectt;d  about  300  men;  and,  with 
these^  endeavoured  to  cover  the  fleeiiig  inhabi- 
tants, and  make  a  show  ^o  prevent  the  advance 
of  the  enemy.  ,*       '   T 

Eight  pieces  of  artillery  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy*     41>out.  30  men  were  killed^  and 
somewhat  more  than  thatqumber  wounded,  in 
the  defence  of  Black  Rock.     But  the  worst  re-,- 
mains  to  be  told,  or  rather  some  faint  idea  to  be 
given  of  the  indescribable  barbarity  of  the  enemy. 

Black  Rock  and  Buffaloe  were  destroyed.,  to- 
f*ether  with  every  building  for  two  miles  east  of 
Buffaloe  on  the  Batavia  road,  and  almost  every 
building  between  Buifaloe  and  Niagara  along  the 
river.  «  Thei  enemy,**  says  General  Hall,  <*had 
with  him  at  Blaok  Rock  and  Buffaloe,  a  number 
of  Indian^(the  general  opinion  in  that  country 
Is  about  ^00,)  who  pursued  tbdr  aecustomecl 
mode  of  horrid  warfare,  by  tomahawking^  scalp- 
ing* and  otherwise  mutilating  the  persons  who 
ti^V  into  their  hands.  Among  the  victims  of 
their  savage  barbarity,  was  a  Mrs*.  Lovejoy,  of 
Buffaloe,  who  was  tomahawked^  and  afterwards, 
burnt  in  her  own  house.  The  conduct  of  these 
savages  struck  the  minds  of  the  people  on  the 
Niagara  frontier  with  such  horror,  as  to  make 
it  ahsoiuiely  necessary,  that  a   more  effieieat 


it 


.a 

h 


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■». 


V 


W 


V9 


1 


'^il 


,  < 


■mj 


■%i 


.!r^1£?-  ^Ifi'?^  ?si»;t  ^-^is^jwE 
HISTORY  OB  TH£  WAV« 


>  ■. 


foreo  than  ihe  ordinary  nilUia  of  the  count  rf 
shoaM  1)6  employed  for  Us  ppoteetion>  to  prevent 
its  beconiin.8f  entirely  depopulated." 

All  the  settlements  of  a  poptilous  eoantry,  40 
miles  square,  were  completely  broken  up»  and 
12,000  persons  sent  as  if  intc  beggary.  The 
tomahawk  and  bayonet  deprircd  parents  of  their 
children,  and  children  of  their  parents ;  the  sa- 
Tages  white  and  red,  who  acteii  not  merely  as 
conquerors,  but  as  murderers  and  robbeirs,  by  a 
i\;il  swoop,  pounced  upon  their  prey  with  the  fe- 
rocity of  the  tiger,  and  the  alKdesolating  ruin  of 
the  locust.  On  the  4(h  January  the  robbers  re- 
tired into  their  own  woods,  not  daving  to  wait 
the  chastisement  that  was  prepared  for  them. 

Considerable  contributions^  of  money  were  coK 
lected  for  the  relief*  of  the  surviving  sofiererst 
who  gradually  returned  to  view  the  smoking 
ruins  of  their  late  habitations. 
'  The  enemy  having  declared  their  conduct  on^ 
the  Niagara  frontier,  to  have  been  committed  in 
<  retaliation  for  excesses  said  to  have  been  com^* 
mitted  by  the  American  armies  in  Canada,  the 
censure,  or  rather  indignation  of  the  suffering 
inhabitants  were  turned  against  Gen.  M'Clurcy 
who  had  the  command.  The  general,  previou<« 
to  retiring  from  command,  published  f  n  addre:i8 
to  the  public,  in  justification  oP  his  own  conduct^ 
in  which  be  seems  to  have  been  pretty  suceess- 
fnl.  M<Clure  was  certairily  a  good  and  zealous 
soldier  ;  ever  ready  to  obey  his  superiors,  he  ex- 
acted obedience  from  those*  who  were  niaoed  un- 
der his  command  ;  he  knew  that  strict  dfseipline 
Was  essential  to  fot'm  the  prac^ticul  soldier  ;  and 
he  probably  suffered  in  the  esteem  of  some,  be- 
cause he  pursued  a  system  from  which  he  could 
not  depart,  without  a  crime  that  might  stamp^ 
him  with  indeiiable  disgrace. 


.-.fcaS" 


,-9 


1^3 


lairy 

venV 


BISTORT  OT  THE  WAS. 


165 


The  importance  of  Fort  Niagara,  as  a  military 
position*  is  sufffeiently  evident,  and  the  posHibili-  ' 
Xy  of  preserving  it  has  been  unfortunately  prov- 
en by  ao  enemy,  who  probably  would  not  medi- 
tate its  reduction,  *7ere  he  not,  in  some  manner 
apprized  that  the  garrison,  sufficiently  strong* 
was  not  sufficiently  watchful.  Had  this  post. 
been  preserved,  as  it  might  have  been,  the  ruth- 
less massacre  of  its  garrison,  after  resistance 
had  ceased,  would  not  have  happened  ;  nor  would 
a  savage  enemy  have  dared  to  attempt  his  hor- 
rid incursion,  without  the  previous  possession  of 
the  key  to  the  settlements  along  the  Niagara 
frontier.  ■ 

These  observations  are  not  merely  speculative. 
The  enemy  had  undoubtedly  an  early  eye  on  tho 
post  at  Niagara ;  it  may  perhaps  be  cause  of  sur- 
prise to  some,  that  it  was  not  seized  while  in  a 
state  of  ill  defence,  and,  tht^t  its  occupation  by 
the  enemy,  was  deferred  to  a  time,  when  it  was 
amply  supplied  with  men,  ar^ns,  and  ammunition* 
This  can  be  best  explainedi,  by  a  re-assertion* 
that  the  enemy  prudently  waited  until  he  could  -J 
find  the  garrison  not  watchi'ul,  sleeping.  To  thja 
undaunted  prowess  of  one  of  the  most  intrepid* 
zealouti,  and  active  officers  of  the  army,  is  to  ba 
attributed,  that  the  enemy  had  not  an  earlier 
possession  of  Niagara  For.U  Captain  M'Keon* 
of  the  artillery,  in  his  bold  and  successful  defence 
of  this  post,  has  signalized  himself  in  a  manner 
that  had  few  parallels  during  the  war,  and  may 
probably  be  ranke^l,  because  it  bore  strong  simi- 
litude, to  the  brave  exploit  of  the  hero  of  Lower 
Sandusky.  This  act  of  Captain  M'Keon  will  be 
best  explained  by  the  following  letter  to  the  Se- 
cretary of  War,  #hioh  is  now  published^  for  the 
first  time. 


t 


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^1    '!| 


It 


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'•L'->-W.'y-'*T-r---   ^—^■^~.    ^•*^ 


W'  >>-^i. 


WM 

If 

■i'  ^ 

a  :| 

P 

f    m 

i  -^ 

•'1 

1 1 

P. 

|i 

1 66  HISTORY  OV  THE  WAB.  j^^ 

'  Mvf-Torkf  6th  June,  \B\S: 

Sir-— When  the  army  was  jtt  in  its  infancy ^  and 
but  very  few  troops  to  garrison  the  old  fort  of  Nia- 
gara,  I  had  the  honour  to  command  at  that  station,  a ; 
company  of  the  3d  reg.  U.  S.  artillery  ;  at  this  time 
the  enemy  prepared  to  bombard  u»,  and  raised  seve- 
ral strong  batteries  for  the  purpose.  We  sustained 
his  fire  for  seven  hours,  and  had  our  works  so  much 
shattered,  that  our  commandant  Captain  Leonard 
thought  them  ho  longer  tenable  :  he  had  the' guns 
jpiked,  and  evacuated  the  fort.  According  to  orders 
J  retreated  with  the  garrison  ;  but  at  a  very"  short 
distance  from  the  place,  I  solicited  and  obtained 
Captain  Leonard's  permission  to  return  to  it ;  at  the 
Inoment  it  was  the  depet  of  an  immense  quantity  of 
public  stores,  worth  perhaps  a  million  of  doilarsi  and 
still  more  i^aluable  in~a  military  point  of  view ;  these 
I  wished  at  every  risk  to  preserve.  Though  I  poS* 
sessed  ^entire  command  of  all  my  men,  1  took  back 
with  me  but  35 ;  because  from  tlie  circumstance  of 
the  guns  being  spiked^  I  could  not  employ  more*  and 
this  number  was  enough  for  the  execution  of  my 
plan  if  it  should  succeed,  and  enough,  to  lose  if  it 
should  fail.  I  placed  centinels  on  the  ramparts  and 
at  the  barriers,  and  caused  them  to  give  the  usual 
call  every  six  minutes,  through  the  night,  so  as  to 
impress  the  enemy  with  a  belief  that  the  fortress  wat 
garrisoned,  and  the  garrison  vigilant :  At  the  same 
time  four  men  belonging  to  the  laboratory  had  port 
fires  lighted  and  fuzees  prepared  to  blow  up  the  mag- 
azine and  all,  if  the  enemy  could  not  be  intimidated 
from  advancing  upon  us.  •  Fortunately  he  was  intimi« 
dated  ;  the  fort  was  saved :  and  the  next  morning  at 
six  o^clock  the  gan*ison  returned  with  a  reinforce- 
ment. Oh  the  1 6th  of  Oct  a  second  order  was  issued 
by  Gen.  Alexander  Smyth,  for  the  evacuation  of  this 
fort,  and  the  public  property  was  accordingly  remo^* 
ed  from  it  to  Lewiston  ;  but  immediately  I  repre- 
sented to  CoK  Winder,  that  the  fort  was  nut  only  ten 


BIT'  ■ 


niirrtmi  ov  thb  wak. 


46> 


^ble,  hilt  that  I  would  maintain  it :  he  was  pleased  to 
sanction  this  opinion,  and  thus  I  was,  in  aonne  mea- 
sure, the  cause  of  preserying  it  a  second  time.  On 
the  3 1st  of  November  following,  the  enemy  bombard- 
ed our  fort  with  the  greatest  fury  for  1 3  hours  ;  dur- 
ing this  time  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  have  been 
most  assailed  by  his  attack  and  most  opposite  to  his 
position.  The  conflagration  of  Fort  George  and 
Kevrark  will,  I  trust,  bear  teatimony  to  the  successes  ■ 
of  my  efforts  on  that  day.  ^  ^ 

(Signed)  JAS.  MKEON", 

late  Capt.  Arl'y. 

le  brave  defence  of  Fort  Niagara  led  to  the 
following  garrison  order. 

GARRISON  ORDER. 

Jfort  Ma^ara,  Octo  b  er  1 5/A,  1818, 
It  is  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  the  command- 
ing officer  gives  to  Capt.  M^Keon  his  Aill  approbation 
for  bis  spirited  and  judicious  conduct,  during  the  se^ 
verc?  cannonading  from  Fort  George  and  the  butte« 
ries  on  the  opposite  side  the  river,  against  this  post} 
for  more  than  seven  hours  on  the  ISth  October  inst«. 
To  Dr.  West  he  begs  to  express  his  sincere  fhauks 
for  the  aid  and  assistance  received  from  him.  To 
tne  non-commissioned  officers-  and  privates  of  the 
garrison  he  has  only  to  say  that  they  have  his  full 
approbation  for  their  cool  and  determined  courage, 
and  their  zeal  asd  activity  during  the  day. 

N  LEONARD,  Capt. 
Commanding  Fort  Niagaras 

IfVhiY^  fbingii  were  thus  progresning  on  land^ 
the  British  were  preparing  a  naval  force  for  ih» 
annoyanee  of  the  citizens  on  the  8ea>hoai*d. 

Admiral  Warren   arrived  at  Flalifax  on  the 
27th  September,  1812  ;  and  having  attempted  in' 
vain  to  deceive  the    American  governmt*nt  with 
f&ise  professions  of  a  paeiiit'   intpntiouf  he  pro^' 
seeded  in  Januai^^  off  New^ York. 


*-. 


# 


/llfflj 

m 

u^-' 

BKKi.V 

''W& 

i6B 


BISTORT  OV  TUB  WAH. 


'fi 


m 


Ht'val/f} 


v' 


*• 


.  Eat'lj  in  February,  1818,.  the  Chesapeake  bay 
and  Delaware  river  were  bloekaded.   i<  ,* 

1  he  British  fleet  continued  in  the  bay  and 
rivers  connected  therewitli.  Their  transactions^ 
for  tlie  greater  purtf  torm  a  history  of  petty 
landings*  wherever  no  considerable  force  eould 
be  opposed  to  them  ;  burning  or  taking  every 
Vessel  .that  eame  wilhin  their  power,  plundering 
the  inhahitanis  adjacent  to  the  waiers)  burning 
housesy  and^-  tflsuttingf  in  the  most  libidinous 
manner,  tnose  females,  who  did  not,  or  could  not 
fly  from  them.  The  following  deserve  pariiou- 
lar  record. 

A  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy, 
"was  sent  to  IjewiHiown,  in  the  state  of  Delaware, 
on  the  16th  Mar(*h,  1813.  ' 

«  SiRt— As  soon  ar  you  receive  thist  I  must  re* 
quesi  you  will  send  twenty  live  bullocks  with  a  pro- 
portionable quantity  of  vegetable^  and  hay  to  the 
Poictifrst  for  the  use  of  his  Briiunitic  majesty's 
squadron  now  at  this  anchorage,  which  shall  be  im* 
mediately  paid  for  at  the  Philadelphia  prices  If  you 
refuse  to  comply  with  this  request,  i  shall  be  under 
the  necessiiy  oi  deatraying  your  tovm, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir,  your  ob't.  servant, 
J.  P.  BERESFORD,  Commodore,^ 
commanding  the  British  squadron  in 
the  mouth  of  Uie  Delaware. 
Vhe  Jirtt  Magistrate  qf  LLetvUtov/nJ*  ' 

The  magistrate  transmitted  the  letter  to  Gov- 
ernut  Haslet*  who  sent  a  reply  to  the  admiral 
on  the  3Sd,  eoncluding  in  the  following  words : 
«•  I  have  only  to  observe  to  you  that  a  eompli- 
fince  would  be  an  immediate  violation  of  th» 
laws  of  my  country,  and  an  eternal  stigma  on  the 
nation  of  which  I  am  a  citizen.  A  oooipliancei 
tliSireferc^  c«QMOi  be  HCiseded  ta«f'^  ^ 


lu^ir«|tT  •>  va^  WIS. 


i6a 


and 

petty 
f'ouid 
evei-y 
ering 
rniQg 
inous 
dnot 
riieu- 


. '  IH  the  evening  of  Iho  6th  April»  tlie  Belvidcra 
and  two  smsiU  vostela  came  in  close  into  Lewisf 
ftnd  commenced  an  attack,  by  firing  aeveral  32lb* 
ihot  into  the  town*  which  liave  been  picked  up  ; 
atlor  which  a  flag  was  wenty  to  which  the  folio w- 
kg  reply  was  returned. 

•t  Sir,— -Tn  reply  to  the  renewal  of  four  d^.mani 
with  the  additioti  for  a  <*  si^piy  of  water."  I  have  to 
inform  you  that  neither  can  be  complied  wit)i.  Thi% 
too*  you  most  be  sensible  of;  therefore  I  must  in- 
sist the  attack  on  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  is  both 
WAOton  and  cruel.  I  have  the  honour  to  bcy  your 
most  obedient  servant, 
*T--  **  .  S.  B.  DAVIS,  Col.  Commandant.'* 

Another  message  was  sent,  Jn  whioh  the  Bri* 
tish  Captain  Byron,  among  other  matter,  wrotey^ 
«  I  grieve  for  the  distress  of  the  women'*— to 
which  a  verbal  reply  was  given,  **  That  Colonel 
Davis  is  a  gallant  man,  and  has  already  taken 
care  of  the  ladios.*' 

The  attack  cQOtinned  till  qear  10  o'clock.-^ 
The  firing  was  kepC  up  during  the  greater  part 

.  of  the  foilawing  day.    One  of  the  most  danger-  ^ 
ous  of  their  gun>boats  was  silenced  by  the  fire 

.  from  a  small  battery.    The  enemy  withdrew  oa 
tlie  8th,  after  firing  on  Lewis    for  22  hours,  > 
with  little  efiect,  and  without  accomplishing  his 
object. 

In  their  progress  np  the  bay,  the  British  landw 
ed  at  Frenehtown  on  the  Elk  river,  and  burnedf 

t  the  store-houses,  destroying  or  carrying  away  all 
tho  pnblio  or  private  property  which  they  con- 
tained. 

From  Frenehtown,  the  enemy  proceeded  to 
Htivre-de-Grace,  a  fiourishing  little  villag  eon 

V  the  Susqnehannah.  where  they  landed,  in  consi* 
derable  force^  on  the  3d  of  May>  and.  proeseded 


?il<3 


ml 


Ur^ 


% 


ll    * 


170 


HTSTOKT  OF  TBB  WAB. 


4.* 


H  ■' 


I 


tt)  plunder  and  burn  ivith  a  srvageness  iliat  rtif 
quired  but  the  use  of  the  scalping  knife,  (o  out- 
rival tlieir  red  allies.  Twentj^-four  of  the  best 
houses  in  the  town  ^ere  burned,  and  the  others 
plundered.  A  small  part^  of  militia  were  sta- 
tioned at  Havre-de-Gra''e,  who,  on  the  approach 
of  the  enemy,  made  a  slight  resistance,  and  then 
retreated.  An  Irishman,  named  0*Neil,  with  a 
courage  pmounting  to  rashness,  and  an  enthusi- 
asm ncc  ei  ntined  bj'  oold  loyalty,  opposed  his  sin« 
gle  arm  to  the  British  host,  was  taken  prisonei^ 
and  carried  on  board  the  British  fleet*  but  after" 
wards  released  on  parole. 

His  countrymen*  residing  in  Philadelphia, pre- 
sented the  brave  0*Neil  with  a  sword. 

From  Havre- de- Grace,  the  enemy  proceeded 
further  up  the  river,  and  burned  the  warehouse 
belonging  to  Mr.  Stump,  and  a  furnaee  belong, 
ing  to  Mr.  Hughes,  at  Princippi. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4tb,  the  enemy  evaen- 
ated  Havre-de- Grace,  and  proceeded  down  the 
bay. 

The  next  exploit  of  the  enemy  was  the  burn- 
ing of  the  unprotected  villages  of  Frederick  and 
Georgetown  ;  the  former  in  Cecil  county,  the 
latter  in  Kent  countyt  opposite  each  other  on  the 
Sassafras  river,  in  the  state  of  Maryland.  ^ 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  on  the  20th 
June,  having  indicated  a  design  to  attack  Nor** 
folk,  which  place  was  then  ill  prepared  for  de- 
fence. Captain  Tarbell,  finding  Craiiey  Island  ra- 
ther weak  manned,  directed  Lieutenants  Mealet 
Shubrick,  and  Sanders,  with  100  seamen,  to  a 
small  battery  at  the  N.  W.  point  of  the  island. 
At  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the 
enemy  was  discovered  landing  round  the  point  of 
Kaasemond  river^  a  force^  reported  by  deserters 


#: 


11I9T0ST  09  THE  WAB« 


17i 


and  otberS)  to  exceed  3000  men  :  at  eiglit,  A.  m. 
the  barges  attempted  to  land,  in  front  of  the  i»« 
landman  additional  force  of  1600,  when  Lieuts. 
Neale^  Shubrick*  and  Sanders,  ivith  the  sailors 
under  their  command,  and  the  marines  of  the 
Constellation  frigate,  150  in  number*  opened  a 
fire,  which  was  so  well  directed,  that  the  enemy 
was  obliged  to  retreat  to  his  ships.  Three  of  his 
largest  barges  were  sunk  ;  one  of  them,  called 
the  Centipede,  Admiral  Warren^s  boat,  50  feet  in 
length,  curried  75  men,  the  greater  part  of  whom 
were  lost.  Several  of  the  bouts  fell  back,  in  the 
rear  of  the  island,  and  commenced  throwing 
rockets  from  Mr.  Wise's  bouses  ;  but  they  were 
quickly  compelled  to  move  off,  by  the  shot  di^ 
rected  to  that  quarter,  from  gun-boat  No  67. — 
In  the  evening,  the  enemy's  boats  came  round 
the  point  of  Nansemond,  and,  t^  sun-set,  were 
seen  returning  (o  their  ships  full  of  men.  At 
dusk,  they  strewed  the  shores  along  with  fires,  in 
order  to  run  away  by  ihe  light. 

The  British  troops,  that  were  previously  JancL 
ed,  made  their  appearance  on  the  main  lan(f» 
with  a  view  to  attack  the  west  and  north  posi- 
tions of  the  island,  but  with  no  better  success 
than  attended  the  men  in  the  boats.  Two  21- 
pounders  and  four  six  pounders  were  advantage- 
ously posted,  under  the  direction  of  Major  Faul- 
kener,  of  the  artillery,  which  were  so  well  serv- 
ed by  Captain  Emerson,  Lieutenants  Hall  and 
Godwin,  that  (hey  produced  a  serious  effect  on 
the  enem}',  who  was  soon  compelled  to  retreat. 

Opposed  to  the  large  British  force,  there  were 
but  a  few  hundred  militia  and  artillerists ;  there 
were  mounted  on  the  island  not  more  than  eight 
pieces  of  cannon  that  could  be  brought  to  bear 
on  the  enemy.    *<  The  officers  of  the  Coostella^ 


r.» 


i^2i 


S1»T0BT  •¥  V&r  t^Am 


I'  ^ 

I'/ 


14 


tion,*'  aetording  to  the  oflieial  report  of  Cfom» 
Cassin^  '*  iSifd  their  18  pounders  more  like  riHe- 
liien  than  artSllerisits/' — 'I'his  defence  did  g;reat 
honour  to  the  few  Americans  who  were  engaged* 
Korfolk  was  an  important  post,  and  the  enemj 
determined  on  its  occupation ;  the  force  sent 
against  it  was  large ;  Admiral  Cockburn  com- 
juiandcd  in  person»  and  was  in  one  of  the  bargei» 
•nc'ouraging  the  men  to  advance.  Some  French 
deserters  reported,  that  a  large  bounty  was  to  be 
given  to  the  men  in  the  event  of  sueeess,  and  that 
it  was  promised  to  them,  that  Norfolk  would  ba 
given  np  to  be  plundered. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  less  than 
5IOO9  exclusive  of  several  deserters  ;  %%  prisonera 
were  taken  ;  also  a  brass  three  pounder,  with  a 
lumber  of  small  arms,  pistols,  outlasses,  &o. 

Not  a  man  ^vas  lost  on  the  side  of  the  Ameri* 
tans  ;  the  enemy  used  only  Congreve  rockets. 

On  the  2dth  June,  between  SO  and  40  barget 
vere  discovered,  filled  with  men^  approaching 
tlie  mouth  of  Hampton  creek,  from  the  direction 
of  Newport's  Noose.  The  American  troops  were 
quickly  formed  on  Little-England  plantatioDy 
south-west,  and  divided  from  Hampton  by  a  nar- 
row creek,  over  which  a  slight  foot  bridge  had 
been  erected.  In  a  short  time,  the  enemy  com- 
menced  landing  troops  in  rear  of  the  Americans. 
A  little  after  five  o'clock,  ▲.  m.  several  barges 
approached  Black-beard's  Point,  the  headmost  of 
ii'hich  commenced  a  firing  of  round  shot,  which 
Was  returned  from  a  small  battery  of  four  long 
i2-pounder8.  The  entire  of  the  force  landed  by 
the  enemy,  consisted  of  at  least  2500  men,  sup- 
ported by  seyeral  field-pieces,  and  some  heavy 
guns,  and  rockets ;  the  American  troops  were 
eomposcd  of  S40  infantry  and  rlflc^  62  artillerists^ 


rnSTOBY   OF  THE  WAR. 


iry 


find  21)  cavalry.  This  little  foroo  made  the  moM: 
judicious  and  b»st  defence  that  was  practicable^ 
manwuvi'ing  and  disputing  every  inch  of  ground. 
The  contest  was  at  one  time  very  sharp*  and  was 
maintained  with  a  resolution  that  left  hope  of  re- 
pelling the  invaders ;  but  the  enem^f  being  very 
numerous,  attempted  to  outflank  and  eut  off  the 
Americans,  when  part  of  the  latter  began  to  dis- 
perse in  various  directions.  It  now  became  in- 
dispensibly  necessary  for  all  the  Americans  to- 
retire,  which  they  did  under  a  continued,  but  ilU 
dii^ected  fire,  from  the  enemy,  who  pursued  them 
for  two  miles.  The  Americans  oecasionally 
stopped  at  a  fence  or  ditch,  and  at  every  fire- 
brought  down  one  of  the  pursaing  foe. 
^  Gapt.  Pryor,  with  his  Lieutenants  Lively  and 
Jones,  and  his  brave,  active  matrosses,  after 
slaughtering  many  of  the  enemy  with  his  field 
pieces,  remained  on  the  ground  till  surrounded — 
and  when  the  enemy  was  within*  60  or  70  yards 
of  the  fort,  they  spiked  their  gunS)  broke  through 
the  enemy's  rear,  and^  by  swimming  a  creek* 
made  good  their  retreat  without  losing  a  man» 
taking  with  them  (heir  carbines^  and  hiding  them 
in  the  woods. 

The  American  loss  was  seven  killed;  16  wound- 
ed, of  whom  2  died  of  their  wounds,  one  prisoner*, 
and  11  missing.  The  enemy  took  possession  of  the 
tillage  of  Hampton,,  after  sufiering  a  loss,  by  the 
most  probable  calculation,  of  at  least  200^men». 
'.,  Major  Crutchfieid,  who  commanded  the  Ame- 
t^icans,  states  the  enemy's  conduct,  iatlie  follow- 
ing, extract,  from  his  official  report :  .| 

'^Togiveyout  sir,  an  idea  of  the  savagC'like  di&(» 
position  of  the  enemy^,  on  their  getting  possession  of< 
the  neighbourhood,  would,  be  a  vain-attempt.  AU 
^ottgiv  Sir  Sioney  Beck  with  assured  ix)ie>^^  titifttwnouitr* 


JB(^ 


'•■:'«.i 


174. 


■4 


■VJ 


BISTORT  OV  THE  VAS* 


easiness  need  be  felt  in  relation  to  the  unfortunate 
Americans;  the  fact  is,  that  yesterday  there  werd 
several  dead  bodies  lyiig  unburied,  and  the  wounded 
not  even  assisted  into  town,  although  observed  ta  be 
crawling  through  the  fields  towards  a  cold  and  inhos- 
pitable protection. 

^<iThe  unfortunate  females  of  Hampton,  who  could 
not  leave  the  town,  were  abused  in  the  most  shame- 
ful manner ;  not  only  by  the  soldiers,  but  by  the  ve« 
nal  savage  blacks,  who  were  encouraged  in  their  eXi* 
cesses.  They  pillaged,  and  encouraged  every  act  of 
rapine  and  murder,  killing  a  poor  man  by  tlie  name 
of  Kerby,  who  had  been  lying  on  his  bed*  at  the  point 
of  death,  for  more  than  six  weeks,  shooting  his  wife 
in  the  hip  at  the  same  time,  and  killing  his  faithful 
dog,  lying  under  his  feet.  The  murdered  Kerby 
was  lying  last  night  weltering  iu  his  bed." 

A  committee  of  Congress,  in  a  report  to  the 
house,  thus  notice  this  transaction. 

**  The  shrieks  of  the  innocent  victims  of  infernal 
lust  at  Hampton,  were  heard  by  the  American  pri- 
soners, but  were  too  weak  to  reach  the  ears  or  dia* 
turb  the  repose  of  the  British  officers,  whose  duty^ 
as  men,  required  them  to  protect  every  female  whom 
the  fortune  of  war  had  thrown  into  their  power* 
The  committee  will  not  dwell  on  this  hateful  sub- 
ject. Human  language  affords  no  terms  strc  | 
enough  to  express  the  emotions  which  the  exami* 
nation  of  this  evidence  has  awakened;  they  rejoice 
that  these  acts  have  appeared  so  incredible  to  the 
American  people.  And,  for  the  honor  of  human  na« 
ture,  they  deeply  regret,  that  the  evidences  so  clearly 
«stablish  their  truth.  In  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  commander  of  the  American  and  Britishf 
ibrces,  will  be  found  what  is  equivalent  to  an  adrais** 
■sion  of  the  facts  by  the  British  cnmmander.'* 

The  enemy  soon  evacuated  Hampton,  and  re- 
treated  to  his  shipping,  to  avoid  the  punishment^ 
wbiv'h^  bad  he  remaiAcd^  would  have  900b  been 


':^M1 


m 


BISTORT  09  THB  WA1I. 


17^ 


iRQioteil.  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Capt.  Cooper,  to  the  lieutenant  governer  of  Vir- 
ginia, 18  proof  of  the  shocking  barbarity  which 
would  disgrace  the  savage  of  the  wilderness. 

**  I  w?  J  yesterday  in  Hampton  with  my  troop- 
that  place  having  been  evacuated  in  the  morning  by 
the  British.  My  blood  ran  cold  at  what  I  saw  and 
heard.  The  few  distressed  inhabitants  running  up, 
in  every  direction  to  congratulate  us ;  tears  were 
shedding  in  every  corner-— the  infamous  scoundrels, 
monsters,  destroyed  every  thing  but  the  houses,  and, 
(my  pen  is  almost  unwilling  to  describe  it)  the  wo- 
men were  ravished  by  the  abandoned  ruffians, — Great 
God !  My  dear  friend,  can  you  figure  to  yourself 
•ur  Hampton  females,  seized  and  treated  with  vio- 
lence by  those  monsters,  and  not  a  solitary  American 
arm  present  to  avenge  their  wrongs  !  But  enough— 
I  can  no  more  of  this.  The  enemy  have  receivea  av 
reinforcement  of  2000 — in  all,.  6(;00  men  ;  and  Nor- 
folk or  Richmond  is  their  immediate  aim.  Protect 
yourselves  from  such  scenes  as  we  have  witnessed. 
They  retired  in  great  confusion,  leaving  3000  weight 
of  beef,  some  muskets,  ammunition,  canteens,  &g« 
and  some  of  their  men,  which  we  took.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  they  apprehended  an  immediate  attack 
from  6000  of  our  men,  which  caused  them  to  retreat^ 
so  precipitately.  My  friend,  rest  assured  of  one 
thing— that  they  cannot  conquer  Americans— the^ 
cannot  stand  thesu.  if  we  had  had  1200  men,  we 
should  have  killed  or  taken  the  greater  part  of  them.** 

In  further  proof  of  these  enormities,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  is  given,  from  the  letter  of  a  gen- 
tleuiun  of  great  respeetubilify. 

"At  present  you  must  content  yourself  with  the 
following,  and  bcleive  it  at  reltgiounly  as  any  fact 
bcyo.d  denial.  Mrs.  Turnbtill  was  pursued  up  to 
her  waist  in  the  water  and  dragged  on  shore  by  ten 
or  twelve  of  these  ruQiansy  who  satiated  their  bnitalf 


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desires  upon  hereafter  pulling  off  her  clotheis,  stock* 
ingSv  shoes,  Sec.  This  fact  was  seen  by  your  ne* 
phew  Keith,  and  many  others.  Another  case— si 
married  womanj  her  name  unknown  to  me,  with  her 
infant  child  in  her  arms,  (the  child  forcibly  dragged 
from  her,)  shared  the  same  fate.  Two  young  wo- 
men, well  known  to  many,  whose  names  will  not 
be  revealed  at  thia  time^  suffered  in  like  manner. -ii. 
Dr.  Colton,  Parson  Halson,  and  Mrs.  Hopkins,  Iwiye 
informed  me  of  these  particulars — another,  in  the 
presence  of  Mr.  Hope,  had  her  gown  cut  off  with 
a  sword,  and  violence  offered  in  his  presence,  which 
he  endeavoured  to'  prevent,  but  had  to  quit  the  room, 
leaving  the  unfortunate  victim  in  their  possession, 
who,  no  doubt,  was  abused  iu  the  same  way. 

<»  Old  Mr.  Hope  himself  was  stripped  naked, 
pricked  with  a  bayonet  in  the  arm,  and  slapt  in  the 
face— and  were  I  to  mention  a  hundred  cases  in  ad- 
dition to  the  above,  I  do  not  know  that  I  should  ex- 
aggerate." 

Admiral  Cockburn  is  the  redoubtable  hero,, 
who  commanded  the  enemy  in  the  manly  attack 
on  Hampton.^ 

On  the  264  h  June,  three  of  the  enemy's  barges- 
attempted  to  enter  Pagan  creek,  but  were  re- 
sisted by  a  detachment  of  militia  ;  and  after  ex- 
changing 14<  shots,  without  efiect  on  either  side^ 
the  enemy  retired. 

The  enemy  had  such  a  total  command  of  the 
"Waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  rivers  falling 
into  it,  wherever  the   same    were   without  the 

-^ 

•James  O' Boyle,  an  Irishman,  residing  at  Pugl^ 
town,  in  Virginia,  offered  a  reward  of  1,000  dollars, 
for  thi  head  of  "  the  notorious  inccndary,  and  infa- 
mous scoundrel,  and  violator  of  all  laws,  human  and 
divine,  the  British  admiral,  Cockburn/*  or  5Q0  dol"^ 
Iblts  for  each  of.  Ms.  ear& 


■I8T9BT  •W  TOE  UTAS* 


iry 


Hiaoge  of  shot  from  the  shore;  and  his  move- 
luents  were  cio  variousy  that  a  general  alarm  was 
excited  in  the  neighbourhood  of  these  waters ; 
the  troops  were  necessarily  kept  embodied,  and 
moving  in  a  manner^  which  occasioned  distres- 
sing and  harrassing  diflleulties.  The  fate  of 
the  females  at  Hampton  excited  an  indignutiony 
and  roused  a  patriotism  and  a  love  of  family 
kindred,  which  stifled  all  complaints  among  th» 
harrassed  soldiery  of  Virginia   and  Maryland. — 

«  Hampton"  was  a  watch-word,  at  which  every 
husband,  father,  brother,  and  man,  took  his  gun 
and  fled  with  willingness,  to  meet  the  ruffians^ 
who  threatened,  with  worse  than  murder,  the 
fair  daughters  of  America.  w 

It  would  scaroely  be  interesting  to  detail  every 
petty  landing,  skirmish  and  adventure,  that  oe« 
eoired,  while  the  enemy  remained  in  the  Chesa<> 
pe;ike>.the  most  conspicuous  of  them,  will,  how* 
•ver,  be  noticed. 

A  party  of  (be  enemy  landed  a  little  be^ow 
James-Town,  on  the  2d  July,  but  were  repulsed 
by  the  militia.  Two  of  thvj  enemy  were*  \iiled9 
two  taken,  and  several  w  uaded.  The  militia 
suflTered  no  loss. 

#n  the  l^th  July,  ftvi  U.  S.  schooner  Asp» 
was  attacked  in  Yocirp'^  river,  bj  the  crews  of 
two  brigs,  who  put  ofi  in  their  bo.Us,  Tor  that  pur- 
pose. The  boatfi,  three  it.  number,  vcre  beaten 
off  by  the  well  direeted  fire  from  tS*e  Asp;  about 
an  hour  after,  the  boats  return  i,  with  two 
other  boats,  well  manned.  There  were  but  2t 
men  on  board  tli4>  Asp*  and  they  could  not  ef- 
fectually resist  the  great  force  sent  against 
them  5  they,  however,  d^-fended  iht* mselves  ob- 
stinately and  bravely  ;  n^r  did  they  retreat  until 
after  the  Asp  wasi  boarded  by  more  than  ^0  of 


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HISTOBT  OF  TUB   WAV, 


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»V;V 


the  enemy.  The  enemy  set  the  vessel  on  fim 
After  their  retreat;,  the  survivors  of  the  brave 
Amerioan  crew,  W4«it  on  board  and  extinguished 
the  flames.  The  American  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded,  amounted  to  10  men.  Mr.  Sigourney» 
the  intrepid  commander  of  the  Asp^  was  among 
the  killed. 

Some  essays,  published  by  the  late  Robert 
Fulton,  on  thti  practicability  of  destroying  ships 
by  torpedoes,  induced  several  persons  to  turn 
their  thoughts  to  this  subject.  A  Mr.  Mix,  of 
the  navy,  accumpanied  by  Captain  Bowman,  of 
Salem,  and  Midshipman  M*Gowan,  essayed  to 
destroy  the  ship  of  war  Plaotagenet,  of  74 
guns,  lying  in  Lynnhaven  bay.  For  this  purr 
pose,  they  proceeded  in  a  boa^,  in  the  night  of 
524th  July,  1813,  and  having  reached  within 
100  yards  of  the  ship,  dropped  the  torpedo.  It 
ivas  s^vept  along  by  the  tide,  but  exploded  a  few 
seconds  [>efore  it  would  have  come  in  contact  with 
the  vessel.  }i  produced  great  consternation  and 
confusion  on  board  the  vessel,  and  induced  seve- 
ral of  the  crew  to  take  to  their  boats.  The 
ship  was  greatly  agitated,  and  some  damage 
done  by  the  violent  motion  of  the  water.  Tlie 
noise,  oeeusioned  by  the  explosion,  was  loud  and 
tremendous;  and  the  appearance  of  the  water, 
thrown  up  in  a  column  of  SO  or  40  iVft  high, 
awfully  sublime.  It  has  not  been  ascertained 
that  any  lives  were  lost. 

The  fleet,  under  command  of  Admirat  Cock- 
burn,  returned  to  the  Chesapeake  on  the  16(h 
July,  after  an  invasion  of  North- Carolina,  where 
the  country  was  pillaged  and  laid  waste  by  the 
enemy,  for  several  miles.  On  (he  12th,  a  pari 
of  this  fleet,  consisting  of  two  TVs  three  frigates, 
and  three  schooners;  appeared  off  Oeraeock  bHr> 


HTSTOUT   fUB  VR%  Vltt^ 


179 


h  iSfor  olina,  and  immediately  despatched^ 

in  (Kiai  tween  700  and  800  men,  who  attaclc- 
ed  the  |.i'ivateer  Anaconda,  and  shoouer  Atlas, 
lying  inside  the  hur.  There  were  hut  18  men  on 
b'^ai'd  the  Anaconda*  v/ho  resisted  the  boats  as 
loHJi!;  as  they  could,  until  finding  that  the  vcsmcI 
must  he  taken,  they  discharged  the  guns  into  the 
hull  ;  hut  the  enemy  bt»arded  her  in  time  to  plug 
the  holes.  'Hie  \tlas,  and  8<»me  small  craft, 
were  eapturcd.  IMie  enemy  took  possession  of 
OcracHck,  and  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  without 
opposition. 

Mi*s.  Gaston,  of  \ewhurn,  wife  of  the  mem- 
b<'r  of  Congress,  being  told  that  the  British  had 
landed,  and  would  shortly  be  in  possession  of 
Newburn,  fell  into  convulsive  fits,  and  expired 
in  a  few  hours.  Mrs.  Cnrtis  died  in  a  simitiar 
manner,  and  a  IVlrs.  Shepherd  was  at  the  p>>int 
of  death,  but  has  recovered.  Apprehensions  of 
being  treated  like  the  unfortunate  females  of 
Hampton,  it  is  suppOHi>d.  produced  this  extraor- 
dinary <leg»ee  of  terror.  A  large  body  of  mili- 
tia and  volunteers  were  assembled  in  the  vicin- 
ily  of  Portsmouth^  and  on  the  point  of  attack- 
ing the  enemy,  when  he  thought  prudent  to  re- 
tire. 

Lieut,  \ngus,  commanding  the  Delaware  flo- 
tilla,  having  discovered,  on  the  27th  July,  that 
the  enemy  had  chased  add  taken  a  small  vessel, 
neap  the  Overfalls,  got  under  way,  and  stood 
for  the  enemy.  At  the  distance  of  alwut  three 
quarters  of  a  mile,  he  brought  the  enemy's  sloop 
of  war  <o  action,  having  anchored  for  that  pur- 
pose eight  gun-boats,  and  two  block-ships,  in  a 
line  ah'^ad.  A  heavy  British  frigate,  had,  by  this 
time,  anchojv'l  about  half  a  mile  further  out.— 
4ftei.'  a  cauai^nade  of  one  hour  and  4«  miiiutes^ 


^■^■. 


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in  which  the  enemy  received  several  ditft,  \^i(li^ 
out  aB>'  material  damage  being  done  to  the  flotilla^ 
he  manned  his  boatSy  10  in  nuuiber,  (t  launehesy 
the  rest  large  l)arges  and  cutttTs*)  with  between 
80  and  40  men  in  each,  and  despatched  them  af- 
ter gun-boat  No.  1^1,  sailing-master  8head, 
which  had  fallen  a  mite  and  a  half  out  of  th« 
liUe,  and  sueeeeded  in  captuiHng  her,  after  a  gal- 
lant resistance.  The  enem^^  would  have  been 
totally  defeated,  had  he  not  been  favoured  by  a 
calm,  which  enabled  him  to  carry  oif  the  gun- 
boat No.  121,  the  colours  of  which  were  not 
struck  until  after  being  boaided.  The  sound  of 
eannon,  on  this  occasion,  was  heard  at  the  city  of 
Washington,  a  distance  of  a  120  miles. 

Saling  master  8head  concludes  his  official  re* 
port  in  the  folio  wing  words  : 

"  I  found  it  necessary,  for  the  preservation  of  the 
few  valuable  lives  lost)  to  surrender  to  seven  times 
our  number ;  the  enemy  boarding,  loaded  our  decks 
with  men ;  wc  w^re  all  driven  below,  and  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  that  the  officers  could  stay  the 
revenge  of  the  seamen,  who  seemed  to  thirst  for 
blood  and  plunder,  the  last  of  which  they  had,  by  rob- 
bing us  of  every  thing ;  we  had  none  killed,  but  7 
wounded,  5  slightly.  The  enemy's  loss  by  us,  was 
7  killed,  and  12  wounded,  4  of  which  have  since 
died.  They  have  conquered  me,  but  they  have  paid 
nic  »rly  for  it ;  and  I  trust,  Sir,  when  you  c«)me  to  vie  w 
the  disadvantages  that  I  laboured  under,  having  been 
mn  7  days  on  board  my  boat,  and  scarcely  time  la 
-station  my  men,  and  the  misfortune  of  entirely  dis- 
abling my  gun,  and  the  superiority  of  numbers  te 
•ppose  me,  you  will  be  convinced  that  thf  ttag  I  had 
the  honour  to  wear,  has  not  lost  anv  of  that  national 
character  which  has  ever  been  attached  to  it." 

It  is  painful  to  the  historian,  that  white  he  re- 
<»rds  the  nmoy  instances  of  virtuous  patriotisiH} 


SIfX«aT  •«  TUB  Ifipi 


F^F 


ind  gTorioui  prowet8»  which  lignBlized  the  citi- 
oens  and  iahabUantt  of  the  United  States,  it  be- 
comes aUo  his  dutj  to  record  their  crimes  and 
treasons.  Much  consolation  is*  however,  deriT* 
ed  from  the  reflection,  that  patriot  ism  was  tho 
prevailing  sentiment  of  a  great  majority  of  th# 
people.  The  following  general  crdt  r  was  pub- 
lished, and  dated  from  the  navjr  department,  at 
the  city  of  Washington,  and  sent,  as  a  circular* 
to  the  commanding  officers  of  stations,  or  ves- 
sels of  the  navy  of  the  United  States. 

<t  The  palpable  and  criminal  intercourse  held  with 
the  enemy's  forces,  blockading  and  invading  the  wa- 
ters and  shores  of  the  U.  States,  is,  in  a  military  view^ 
an  offence  of  so  deep  a  die,  as  to  call  for  the  vigilant 
interposition  of  all  the  naval  officers  of  the  United 
States. 

*' Thi»  intercourse  is  not  only  carried  on  by  fo- 
reigners, under  the  specious  garb  of  friendly  flags, 
who  convey  provisions,  water,  and  succours  of  all 
kinds,  (ostensibly  destined  for  friendly  ports,  in  the 
face,  too,  of  a  declared  and  rigorous  blockade,)  di« 
rect  to  the  fleets  and  stations  of  the  enemy,  with  con- 
stant intfJligence  of  our  naval  and  military  force  and 
preparation,  and  the  means  of  continuing  and  con- 
ducting the  invasion  to  the  greatest  possible  annoy- 
ance of  the  country  ;  but  the  same  trafHc,  intercourse^ 
and  intelligence,  is  carried  on  with  ^reat  subtility 
and  treachery,  by  profligate  citizens,  who,  in  vessels 
oatinslbly  navigating  uur  waters,  from  port  to  port, 
under  cover  of  night,  or  other  circumstances  favour- 
ing their  turpitude,  f\iid  nieuns  to  convey  succours  or 
intelligence  to  the  enemy,  and  elude  the  penalty  of 
th^  1aw<  This  lawless  trade  and  intercourse  is  also 
carried  on  to  a  great  extent,  ir  craft,  whose  capacity 
exempts  them  from  the  regulixtlons  of  the  revenue 
laws,  and  from  the  vigilenoe  which  vessels  of  ^eater 
capacity  attract. 


:<.^ 


^n 


' 


V'.5  ■ 


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mgTOST  OY  THK  WAB« 


',tfl 


pi 


<*  I  am  therefore  commanded  by  the  President  o£ 
the  United  States,  to  enjoin  and  direct  all  naval  com» 
manding  officers,  to  exercise  the  strictest  vigilencoi 
and  to  stop  or  detain  all  vessels  or  crafty  whatsoever, 
proceeding,  or  apparently  intending  to  proceed,  to* 
wards  the  enemy's  vessels  within  the  waters,  or  hov- 
ering about  the  harbours  of  the  United  States ;  or 
towards  any  station  occupied  by  the  enemy,  within 
th^  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  from  which 
vessels  or  craft  the  enemy  might  derive  succours  or 
intelligence. 

W  JONES/*/" 

The  enemy,  the  better  to  carry  his  projects  in 
the  Chesapeake  into  execution,  took  possession  of 
Kent-island,  and  fortified  the  narrows ;  which 
station  he*  however,  soon  afterwards  deserted. 
On  the  10th  August  he  made  an  attack  on  St. 
3Micbael,  with  11  barges,  which  went  up  the 
river  on  the  opposite  side,  and  came  down  on  the 
«ide  of  St.  Michael,  with  so  little  noise,  that  thej 
were  not  perceived  passing  up  or  down  the  river ; 
and  as  it  was  very  cloudy «  and  the  men  in  the 
Ibrt,  without  suspicion  of  attaok,  the  enemy 
landed  before  they  were  discovered.  The  men 
fired  two  guns  and  left  the  fort,  of  which  the  en- 
emy immediately  took  possession*  and  gave  three 
eheers,  bupposing  they  would  have  St.  Michael 
Vithout  much  difficulty  ;  but  they  were  very 
much  mistaken,  for  the  St.  Michaers  people,  and 
Capt.  Vickr  7  8,  of  the  East  on  packet,  with  the 
artillery  from  Easton,  attacked  them  so  briskly, 
and  pointed  their  giinn  with  so  much  judgment, 
that  our  invaders  were  soon  obliged  to  make  off-- 
the  infant i'v  ".vei^e  not  engaged.  Not  a  man  of 
the  Antericans  was  hurt,  although  the  grape  shot 
flew  like  hail  in  the  town,  and  their  balls  went 
through  a   niuubeir  of    the  houses.    The  two 


i 


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HISTORY  OS  THB  WiJt. 


m 


sliotg  (hat  were  fired  from  (be  fort  must  have 
dooe  some  execution^  as  a  quaotlty  of  blood  wa^ 
seen  on  the  shore^  and  two  swords  and  a  pistol 
were  left  bebindy  and  their  barges  were  seen  to 
be  struck  by  the  artillery  from  the  town. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i^th  August^  at  four 
o'elockf  the  enemy  attacked  Queenston^  in  Queen 
Anne  county,  both  by  land  and  water ; — about 
600  troops  were  landed  and  marched  up  to  the 
town»  and  20  armed  barges  made  the  attack  by 
water — the  attack  was  so  unexpected,  that  but 
little  resistance  was  made-^a  picket  guard  of  the 
American  militia  were  fired  on  by  the  enemy^ 
one  of  them  was  killed,  and  two  or  three  wound* 
ed — the  militia  retreated  to  Centreviihs,  and  left 
the  enemy  in  possession  of  the  town. 

Were  the  enemy  to  confine  himself  in  the  cap- 
turing of  vessels  and  their  cargoes*  and  the  de- 
Btruetion  of  public  property,  he  would  be  justi- 
ftahle;  but  it  is  due  to  truth,  not  to>  conceal,  thatf 
departing  from  all  established  rules  of  warfare^ 
he  not  ot»ly  carried  oft  private  property,  wheor 
ever  he  could  seize  it,  but  also  destroyed  what* 
ever  be  could  reach 9  and  could  sot  remove.  On 
the  2d  November,  he  landed  on  George's  islatid, 
and  burned  all  the  buildings  on  it,  he  decoyed  a 
great  number  of  negroes,  with  a  promise  to 
make  them  free — and  afterwards  shipped  these 
wretches  to  the  West  Iiiflies,  where  they  were 
sold  as  slaves,  for  the  benefit  of  British  officer^. 
The  following  device  was  practised  with  success, 

A  party  of  tbe  militia, (t7  in  number,)  stationed 
themselves  behind  the  Sand  hills,  while  twt>  while 
ihf.n,  with  their   faces  and   hands    blacked,  vvt  ut  - 
down  upon   the  beach,  and   waved   th«Me  iiiUHH*. 
kerchiefs  to  theships,  wlien  a  boat,  with  six  nifn, 
immediately  came    ashore^  folio vved^    at  some 


1 -.'■■) 


■p» 

K^''' 

J  B  it 

MMj^  ' ' 

§*?. 

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P.I 

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HlVTORT  OF  THB   WAlUr 


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iistance^  by  two  others,  full  of  men.  Just  %»  ili# 
men  from  the  first  boat  were  preparing  to  land^ 
one  of  those  d]8£;uised»  in  Talking  a  few  8teps« 
showed  his  bare  ancles,  whloh  he  omitted  to 
blackeOf  when  the  enemy  exclaimed — «<  White 
men  in  disguise,  hy  .— — ;  let  us  push  offj**'^ 
which  they  did,  and  at  the  same  moment,  the 
militia  ran  out  and  fired  upon  them,  until  they 
were  outof  gun-shot ;  they  killed  two  out  cfth4 
six. 

It  would  be  impossible,  in  the  compass  allot- 
ted to  this  work,  to  do  justice  to  the  enemy  :— 
his  barbarous  and  plundering  conduct  in  the 
Chesapeake,  and  adjoining  rivers,  can  only  bo 
equalled  by  the  eonduct  of  the  same  enemy  in  a 
former  war.  "  The  species  of  warfare,"  sayt 
the  editor  of  a  Norfolk  paper,  «  waged  by  Cap- 
tain Uoyd  of  the  Plantagenet,  on  the  inhaki- 
'tants  of  Princess  Anne  county,  is  of  that  pitiful 
&nd  dishonourable  kind,  which  cannot  fail  to  at- 
tach a  lasting  stigma  to  his  character,  and  cause 
l)is  name  to  descend  to  oblivion,  eoupled  with 
that  of  the  infamous  Dtinmore,  and  elogged  with 
the  bitter  execrations  of  all  who  shall  hear  the 
tale  of  his  rapacity,** 

The  Norfolk  Herald  thus  ably  and  humanely 
notices  the  seizing  and  carrying  oflT  negroes. 

<<  To  take  cattle  or  other  stock,  would  be  consis- 
tent with  the  usage  of  civilized  warfare  ;  but  to  take 
Kegroes,  who  are  human  beings  /  to  tear  them  for- 
ever from  their  kindred  and  connexions  is  what  we 
should  never  expect  from  a  Chriatian  nation,  espe- 
cially one  that  has  done  so  much  to  abolish  the 
•*  slave  trade."  There  are  Negroes  in  Virginiai 
and  we  believe  in  all  the  southern  states,  who  have 
their  interests  and  affections  as  ^trongiy  engrafted 
^  1^  their  hearts,  as  the  whitesj^  and  who  feel  the  sacreil 


B18T0TIT  OF  THE  WABi 


18^ 


ties  of  filial*  parentali  and  conjugal  afTection,  eqiiallf 
st'ongvund  who  are  warmly  attached  to  their  owners^: 
anM  the  scenes  of  their  nativity.  To  those,  no  in- 
ducementt  which  the  enemy  could  offer,  would  bo- 
suflicient  to  tempt  th  m  away.  To  drag  them  a* 
Wjyt  then,  by  force,  would  be  the  greatest  cruelty. 
Yes,  it  is  reserved  for  Englandf  who  boasts  of  her 
religion,  and  love  of  humanity,  to  practise  this  piece 
of  cruelty,  so  repugnant  to  the  dictates  of  Christianity 
and  civilization." 

'  The  greiit  vi^.Uanc<  nd  activity  of  the  citi- 
zenst  tended  not  only  disappoint)  but  frequent- 
ly to  punish  the  marauders. 

On  the  lith  of  Septesnber* about  15  men  volun- 
teered from  a  militia  eompauy,  stationed  near 
the  inlet,  at  Norfolk,  logo  and  attack  a  party  of 
the  Britifth,  who  were  said  to  be  on  shore  at  the 
Cape.  When  tb«*y  cami*  to  the  Cape,  and  were 
mounting  one  of  the^and  hills,  they  found  them- 
selves in  full  view,  and  within  musket- shot  of  a 
lar^  body  of  marines*  who  were  exercising.  \- 
cluster  of  officers  were  standing  some  distance 
off*  tietween  their  main  body  and  our  militia-*tho 
latter  bud  not  a  moment  to  spare  ;  they  took  de- 
liberate aim  at  the  officers  and  tired  ;  four  of 
them  fell  !  The  militia  then  made  the  best  of 
their  way  back  to  camp,  while  the  enemy's  shot 
whistled  over  their  heads  in  all  directions,  but 
without  effe<it. 

The  proceedings  of  the  enemy  along  the  coasts 
east  of  the  Delaware,  were  not  generally  impor- 
tant. 

The  frigate    United   States,   Com.  Decatur; 
frigate  Macedonian,  Capt.  Jones;  and  sloop  of 
war  [l(»rnet,  Capt.  fliddle,  on  tlie  24th  May,  got 
TDfider  way  from  New- York,  with  an  intention  of" 
{roceeding  to   sea  through  the  Sound,    Whea^ 


ilv. 


'Ki^ 


^^    \*^     # 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Ay 


1.0 


11.25 


Mk    125 


■tt  Ui2 


1^ 


1.4 


6" 


1.6 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WfST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  S73-4S03 


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off  Hunt*!  Point  the  mainmast  of  the  Unitetf 
States  was  struck  with  Kg^tnlng,  whieh  tore 
awa;f  the  Commodore's  broad  pendant,  and 
bronght  it  down  on  deek,  passed  into  one  of  the 
port-holesy  down  the  after  hatehway,  through 
the  ward  room  into  the  doctor's  room,  put  out 
his  candle,  tore  up  his  bed,  and  then  passed  be- 
tween the  skin  and  ceiling  of  the  ship,  and  tor» 
up  about  20  nails  of  her  copper  at  water's  edge. 
No  further  trace  of  it  could  be  discovered.  The 
Macedonian  was  about  100  yards  astern  of  the 
United  States,  and  on  observing  the  lightning 
strike  her,  immediately  hove  her  topsails  aback, 
luring  that  the  fire  might  find  its  way  to  the 
magairine. 

On  thelst  of  June,  the  vessels  attempted  t» 
put  to  sea,  but  were  chased  into  New-London  by 
a  British  foree,  consisting  of  a  74,  a  razee,  and 
a  frigate.  The  blockade  of  New-London  was  im- 
mediately formed^  and  the  inhabitants  very  high* 
)y  alarmed  lest  the  town  would  be  attacked* 

On  the  21st  June,  the  British  privateer  Buck- 
skin, (formerly  belonging  to  Salem,)  chased  a 
coaster  into  Owl  Head  Narrows,  (a  small  har- 
bour in  Massaehttsetts,)  where  five  others  were 
laying,  the  whole  of  which  wore  captured  and  re- 
moved down  into  what  is  ealled  the  Thorough- 
&re,  preparatory  to  being  manned  oat,  and  they^ 
iegan  unhiding  one  of  the  sloops,  into  which 
they  intended  to  put  the  prisoners.  During  this 
time,  from  two  to  300  militia  oollected,  and  pro* 
teeded  down  to  Fox  Island,  it  being  thick  foggy 
weather,  when  at  half  past  three,  on  the  moriiing 
^f  the  22d,  the  fog  olearing  away,  the  privateer 
appeared  at  anchor  about  20  rods  from  the  shore» 
Where  they  eommeneed  firing  upon  her  with 
maU  arns^  and  one  Jold  j^kw,  wluoh  kiiled  th» 


HlftTeUT  n  THE  WASr 


189 


iib&V^.. 


I^tiltiertiiien  almost  as  fast  as  they  eame  mi 
deck.  The  Ist  lieutenant  cut  the  eable,  and  in 
attemptiuK  to  hoist  the  jib*  (flying  flat  on  hit 
b8ck»)  had  his  under  jaw  shot  away  ;  the  eaptain. 
was  killed ;  and  but  nine  men,  it  is  said  remained 
unhurt,  the  rest  being  either  killed  or  wounded* 
It  being  ebb  tide*  she  drifted  out,  and  when  out 
•f  the  reaeh  of  the  musketry^  got  under  way, 
leaving  all  her  prizes,  which  again  fell  intothe 
hands  of  the  rightful  owners.  The  crews  put  la 
to  man  them,  in  attempting  to  escape  to  the  pri* 
yateer  in  boats,  were  either  killed  or  wounded^ 
The  action  lasted  an  hour. 
^  On  the  2Sd  June,  two  barges,  containing  each 
about  15  men,  from  the  blockading  squadron  off 
New-London,  attempted  to  land  near  the  light- 
house, but  on  observing  a  company  of  artillery 
iiear  the  shore,  pulled  off  as  fast  as  possible* 
When  the  enemy  imagined  themselves  out  of 
danger,  they  stood  in  the  barges  and  cheered* 
At  this  moment  a  shot  was  fired  from  the  ar* 
tillery,  which  struck  one  of  the  boats,  and  killed 
or  wounded  eight  or  ten  of  the  men  in  it. 

A  Mr.  Scudder  formed  a  design  of  destroying 
the  British  ship  Ramilies,  of  7^  guns,  off  New- 
JLimdon.  For  this  purpose  ten  kegs  of  powder 
W4>reputhito  a  strong  cask,  with  a  quantity  of 
sulphur  mixed  into  it.  At  the  head  of  the  eask 
was  fixed  two  gun-looks,  with  cords  fastened  to 
the  triggers,  and  to  the  under  side  of  the  barrela 
ki  the  hatchway,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to 
hoist  the  barrels  without  springing  the  looks 
each  side  of  the  powder — and  on  the  top  waa 
placed  a  quantity  of  turpentine,  and  spirits  of 
tnrptotlne,  whieh  in  all  probability  was  sufficient 
to  have  destroyed  any  vessel  that  ever  floated 
«a  the  wttter^  if  sh^  oouldithaYe  been  gpt  idoBf, 


'0i  4r- 


i8t 


HHmst  OV  TAB  irA». 


If 


side,  which  was  the  ohjeet  in  view.  These  kcig% 
were^  put  on  board  the  smack  EaKle*  which 
sailed  from  New- YorlL  on  the  I6th  of  June,  for 
New- London,  but  which  the  crew  abandoned,  on 
being  pursued  by  the  boats  of  the  enemy.  It 
was  expected  that  the  vessel  would  be  brought 
along  side  the  Ramilies;  and,  by  exploding^ 
would  destroy  that  ship.  The  wind  dying  away* 
and  the  tide  being  aeainst  them,  she  could  not 
be  brought  along  side.  When  the  Eagle  ex- 
ploded, there  were  four  boats  alo|tag  side,  and  a 
great  many  men  on  board  her.  After  the  ex- 
plosion, there  was  not  a  vestige  of  ihe  boats  to  be 
seen  ;  the  body  of  fire  rose  to  a  vast  heigiity 
and  *then  burst  like  a  rocket,  Itlvery  man  neap 
or  about  her  were  probably  lost,  as  the  boats 
sent  from  the  Raroilies  were  seen  to  return  with- 
out picking  up  any  thing. 

On  the  lOth  Jone>  three  barges  belonging  to 
the  blockading  squadron*  after  capturing  somo 
liloops  at  the  mouth  of  Connecflcut  river,  at- 
feropted  to  land  at  Saybrook,  but  were  beaten  off 
D^  the  militia.  The  enemy  had  three  men  killed 
•n  this  oceasion.  The  militia  escaped  unhurt. 
^  Chi  tlie  2l*th  July,  a  ist  and  3rd  lieutenant,  a 
sailing- master,  and  five  men,  belonging  to  thella* 
Billies,  were  surprised  and  taken  on  Gardner's 
Island,  b^  a  part  of  (he  crew  of  the  United 
States,  despatched  for  the  purpose  by  Com.  De- 
•atur.  The  prisoners  were  paroled,  and.  be- 
ing at  liberty,  were  joined  by  others  of  their 
•rew,  when  they  found  the mselves  sufileienfly 
strong  to  seize  and  carry  oflTthe  American  lioat. 
There  wan  an  aUempt  also  made  to  intercept 
the  American  party,  but  they  escaped  in  a  whale- 
boat  to  Sag- Harbour,  from  whence  tUey  retorSf' 
cduLsafety  te  JMew-LondeM. 


'^. 


•f  THE  MTAII. 


ts» 


^flfhortly  After  thU  transaction,  Mr.  Joshua 
TpotMjf  of  Easthampton,  Lone- Island,  was  ta* 
k^n  out  of  bis  bed  during  the  night,  by  a  partjr 
from, the  enemj's  ship,  and,  bein^  brought  on 
board  the  Ramilies,  was  put  in  irons.  Majoe 
Case,  eonimanding  the  troops  of  the  U.  Statei 
at  Sag-Harbour,  demanded  his  release  as  a  non^ 
•on4>i^^<^D(i  btt^  ^^^  British  officer,  Capt.  Hardy» 
deolined,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  combat7 
ant^^that  he  conducted  a  party  of  seamen  from 
New-l^Q^on  to  Gardner's  Island,  there  to  sur* 
prise  and  take  eeveral  British  officers^— that  hit 
name  had  been  entered  on  the  books  of  one  of 
the  frigates,  and  that  he  had  been  **  employed  in 
a  boat  contriveAfor  the  purpose,  under  the  eorui 
mai^d  of  Thomas  Welling*  prepared  with  a  tor* 
pedQ%  to  iUstfoy  this  (Cap.  Hardy's)  ship,**  This 
last  oWm6  was  undoubtedly  that  wbicH  led  to 
^l|o  oaf  ture  and  severe  treatment  of  Mr,  F^nny* 
He  was,,  treated  witli  great  severity  while  Oil 
board,  ti^  Eamiliies,  from  which  vessei  he  wat 
lent  tp  Halifax,  where  he  was  treated  like  other 
lyrisoners.  He  was  sent  to  Salem  in  a  cartel 
shin,  in  May,  1814,  and  probably  oweij^nol  onljf 
^is  liberation,  but  his  life,  to  the  circnmstaoea 
that.tJ^e  President  of  the  United  States  ordered 
two  British  subjects  to  be  held  as  hostages  fpf 
jthe  safety  of  Mir.  Penny.  t   h;^>5g 

The  N^w- London  blockading  squadron  eam(u 
on  the  8th  September,  by  the  sounds  to  a  plao^ 
ablaut  io  miles  from  the  city  of  New-Tork,  cafi^ 
^ured  30  coasters^  took  a  quantity  of  sheep  fron| 
the  main,  and  had  probably  other  robberies  or 
{njuries  in. view.  Com.  Lewis,  on  receiving  it^ 
formation  of  the  enemy's  movement,  proceeded 
up  the  Soi^nd, .  with  2fr  gun- boats.  By  9  o'oloclfL 
•Q  ihe  9th|  W  was  at  Sands's  Poioti  wtthin  10 


I 

1 


^■.J'^1 


190 


BIITOBT  OV  TH>  WAS. 


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milei  of  the  enemy.  A-  British  fr%ate  and  a 
sloop  of  war  got  under  way  aad  ttood  toward 
them.  At  one  o'oleoky  F.  M.  the  oommodore 
brought  his  flotilla  to  anobor  in  Hempstead  bayi 
ready  to  receive  the  enemy.  The  Britisli^  eau 
•hanged  10  or  16  shots  at  too  great  a  distance  !• 
produoe  any  effect^  and  then  stood  to  theeasto 
ward^  and  wer^  soon  out  of  sight.  The  flotilla 
returned  to  itd  former  station.  ' 

On  the  5th  of  July,,  the  British  tender  £agi«f 
which  had  been  employed  by  Cora.  BereslbiMiy 
for  the  purpose  of  burning  eoastersr  ^o.  wastan 
ken  by  a  coup  demam.  The  sm^s^ck  YanlceewiM 
borrowed  for  thi9  purpose.  Sailmg  master  Per- 
•eivaS  went  on  board,  and  oonoealed  30  meii«ia 
the  hold  J  he  tied  a  calf,  a  sheep  and  a  goose  ok 
deeky  and,  thus  prepared/  he  stood  out  of  Ma»« 
tjfuito  Cove  I  three  men  appeared  on  deck.  .The 
£ftgle,  on  perceiving  the  smaekf  immediatoly 

£ve  ehascy  and  after  comiag^vp-with  her»i  and 
ding  she  had  live  stock  on  de^^  erderedfher 
ta  go  down  to  the  commodorcj  then  about  flva 
imws  distanoe.  The  helmsman  of  the  smaek  an*, 
swerd  **  aye,  aye,  sir,''  and  apparently  put  up 
the  helm  for  that  purposci  which  brought  iihn 
atong  side  the  Eagle,  not  more  than  three  yards 
distant.    The  watch  wordf  I^awrr nee,  wa*  then 

given, 'When  the  armed  men  rushed  on  deck 
•ora  their  hiding,  places,  and  poured  into  her  a^ 
volley , of  musketry,  whieh  struck  her  crew  with 
dismay,  and  drove  them  down  sO  precipitately 
into  the  hold  of  the  vessel,  that  they  had  not^ 
time  tostlike  their  eolours«    Seeing  the  enemyV 
deck  clear,  Sailing- master  Perceival,  who  com* 
manded  the  expedition,  ordered  his  men  to  oease 
fii'ingUi-upon  which  one  of  the  enemy  came  out 
M  i&t  hold  and  ttruek  the  eeloura  of  the£a^^)^ 


)  and  a 
toward 
modore 
wdbaji 
isli^  eat* 
lanoelo 
le  eastt*"' 
ilotiU* 

£agb» 

wa»4an 
ceenrfM 
cpFep- 
nunifiii 
ooteoB 

iirThe 
diatidjl 
Br»^  and 
ped(ier 

lekaa* 
[Mut  up 

[btiiim 
» yards 
k»  then 
1  deck 
)  her  a 
w  with 
itately 
id  not 
nemy's 
o  com* 
9  oeasa 
me  out 


nimmw  ot  vm  wai« 


tM 


flUilB  *liad  OB  board  a  M-pound  brass  ho'<vitzerf 
loaded  with  oaimister  shot ;  bat  so  sudden  wm 
the  surprise,  thoy  had  not  time  to  discharge  it. 
The  ereiw  of  the  Eagle  eontisted  of  H.  Morr»s» 
master^smate  Of  the  Poietiers^  W.  Priee,  niid« 
shipmaOf  and  It  seamen  and  marines.  Mr.  Mor- 
ris was  killed,  Mr.  Priee  mortally  wounded,  and 
ooi  mArine^killed  and  one  wounded.  The  Eaglet 
with  the  prisoners,  arrived  off  the  Battery  in  tlif 
afKemoott,  and  landed  the  prisoners  at  Whitehall^ 
amidst  the  shouts  and  plaudits  of  thousands  of. 
spectators,  assembled  on  the  batteiy,  celebrat- 
ing the  anniversary  of  our  independence. 

A  detachment  from  the  gun-boat  flotilla  near 
Sandy-Hook,  most  gallantly  beat  off  about  100 
of  the  Grew  of  the  Plantagenet,  which  drove 
ashore  and  boarded  the  schooner  Sparrow,  of 
Baltimore,  the  3d  November,  near  Long  Branch* 
The  cargo,  together  with  sails,  rigging,  &e.  were 
saved ;  the  vessel  bilged. 

The  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  lieutenant 
Nieholson,  commanding  the  gun-boats  at  New- 
port, announced  the  capture  of  the  armed  British 
sloop  Dart,  on  the  4ft h  Oetober. 

<<  Sir— I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  of  the 
capture  of  the  British  armed  sloop  <«  Dait,"  by  the 
revcTiue  cutter  of  this  place,  last  evening.  She  ap- 
peared off  the  harbour  before  sun-set ;  the  captain  of 
the  cutter  offt^red  his  services  to  go  out ;  I  put  oa 
board  three  sailing-masters  and  about  30  men ;  she 
immediately  made  sail  and  laid  aboard  the  Dart,  and 
cfirried  her, by  boarding ;  her  first  officer  was  kilit>d| 
two  of  our.  own  men  were  wounded  slsghdy.  Thf 
Ijriso^ers  I  send  4or  your  disposal.  Very  respectfullly 
yq^rmost^ot)t;dienth^ii9hlQ  servant,  .j.,,^^^^.^ 

.    m^Hh  JOHN  KtCHOX-SOJDT.  i 


>M/ 


':U 


r*»«- 


IRtjnj 

Sf-l 

*4 

Mr    TTf 

y-^i 

v>^w! 

k''i 

§F^C' 

•i.'l 

%:l 

§..\ 

*'''i 

PI 

m 

hx 

i 


ecrn^  Jphn  Rodg'er^f  U.  6»li  MiaUH^i^  h'M  -r&k  %4 


fngtite  Preeident 


i» 


IH 


VllViftY  Wf  VBM  Wis* 


V.  '■ 


'  The  British  Admiral  ^Tarren  itaued  aproela^ 
mation  on  the  16th  Novenher*  deelarlnc  Long- 
Inland  Sound  in  a  state  of  rigorous  bloekade. 
This  was  an  extenjion  or  explanation  of  a  for- 
mer proi^laniation  of  the  24th  Septenibery  by 
n^hieh  the  ports  and  harbours  df  New-Torky 
Charleston,  Port  Roylil*  Savannah^  and  the  river 
Misbissippi  were  declared  in  »  state  of  striet  and 
rigorous  bloekade. 

A  proelauiatlon  was  issued  by  the  governor  of 
Vermont  on  the  10th  of  November,- 1813,  the 
objeet  of  which  was  to  oali  home  from  the  ser- 
i^ice  of  the  United  States  a  portion  of  the  militia 
which  had  been  then  serving  in  the  state  of  New- 
York.  Brigadier  General  Davis  repaired  to  the 
arm^,  and  dt  manded  a  oomplianee  with  the  or- 
ders of  hia  excellency  ;  but  obedience  was  re-- 
fused, and  the  general  was  arrested. 

A  reply  to  the  proclamation  was  drawn  up  at 
I'lattsburgh  the  15th  November,  and  direeted  to 
hin  excellency,  signed  by  all  the  oflSeers  of  the 
yermont  militia  then  there,  llie  reply  con- 
tained, among  other  matter,  the  following  decided 
and  unequivocal  expressions. 

«  We  consider  your  proclamation  as  a  gross  insult 
to  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  service,  inasmuch  as  it 
implies  that  thef  are  so  ignorant  of  their  rights  as  to 
believe  you  have  authority  to  command  them  in  their 
present  situation,  or  so  mbandoned^A  to  follow  your 
Insidious  advice.  We  cannot  regard  your  proclama- 
tion- in  any  other  lif^hu  than  as  an  unwarrantable 
stretch  of  executive  authority,  issued  from  the  worst 
of  motives^  to  effect  the  basest  purposes.  It  is,  ia 
•ur  optnioo,  a  renewed  instance  of  that  spirit  of  dis- 
organization and  anarchy  which  is  carried  on  by  a  lact^ 
tion,  to  overwhelm  our  country  with  jruin  and  dis« 
|;iac«.    We  cannot  perceive  what  other  .oiy^^ct  yo^ 


^1 


.'^' 


:-;w 


HI8T0BT  OF  THB  WAB* 


td3 


excellency  could  have  in  view  than  to  embarrass  the 
operations  o£  the  army*  to  excite  mutiny  and  sedition 
amuiig  the  soldierSf  anJ  to  iuducc  them  to  de^tertj 
thau  tiicy  might  forfeit  the  wnges  to  which  they  are 
entitled  for  their  patriotic  services*" 

A  most  pusitive  iifuofof  that  atriual  treason* 
\irhioU  iurked  under  the  shade  of  un  ill  limed  op- 
position to  the  measures  of  the  general  govern* 
ment,  was*  soon  afterward*  discovered,,  near 
New  London,  as  will  bo  best  explained  by  the 
foi towing  comuiunioation  from  Com.  Decatur  to 
thu  Secretary  of  the  Nuvy,  dated  at  New-Lon- 
bon,   December  ^uth,    iS13: 

*<  Some  few  nights  since,  the  weather  promised  an 
opportuiii  y  for  this  squadron  to  get  to  sea,  and  it 
Was  said  on  shore  that  we  intended  to  make  the  at  • 
tempi.  In  the  course  of  ihe  evening  two  blue  lights 
won  !  urnt  on  both  the  points  at  the  harbour's  moLth 
a»  >i:  uuls  to  the  enemy^  and  there  is  not  a  doubtt  but 
that  lUey  huve  by  signals  and  otherwise,  instantaneous 
iufoi  taatio  i  of  our  movements.  Great  but  unsuc- 
cessful exertions  have  been  made  to  detect  those  who 
eontmunicate  with  the  enemy  by  signal.  Thti  editor 
of  t!ie  ]S"ew-London  Gazette,  to  alarm  them,  and  in 
hope  to  prevent  the  repetition  of  those  sij^  .^>is,  sta- 
ted in  that  newspaper,  that  they  had  been  obierve<i, 
and  ventured  to  denounce  those  who  had  made  them 
in  animated  and  indignant  terms.  The  consequence 
is  that  he  has  incurred  the  express  censure  of  some 
of  his  neighbours.  Notwithttanding  these  signals 
have  been  repeated  and  have  been  seen  by  30  person^ 
at  least  in  this  >quadron,  there  are  men  in  New-Lon« 
do?i  who  have  ttie  hardihood  to  affect  to  disbelieve 
it,  and  the  effrontery  to»avow  their  disbelief.*' 

rhe  U.  8.  fi'igute  Congress,  Capt.  8mith»  ar« 
rived  at  Portsmouth  in  December,  after  a  cruise 
of  nearly  eight  months.  During  her  cruise«  she 
Spt  sight  of  an  caeiuy*s  line  of  battle  ship$  with  a 

K 


.#. 


-n. 


#•4 


vuoromT  n  thb  wab* 


..fl 


^i^^^ri^ 


IHgate  in  company.  She  captured  and  dcfttrog^ 
•done ship  ami. one. brig;  and  sent  another  eap« 
tured  brig  at  a  cartel  to  the  West-Indies.  It  will 
be  recollected  that  the  Congress  sailed  from 
Viewport  in  Aprils  in  company  with  the  Presi- 
dent and  parted  company  the  8th  May. 

The  hostile  attitude  of  the  Indians*  and  the 
battle  with  them  at  Tippacanoe*  previous  to  the 
^ar>  excited  alarm»  and  caused  an  enquiry  into 
Its  cause.  A  committee  of  Congress*  on  that 
part  of  the  President's  message,  which  related  to 
Indian  affairs*  turned. their  particular  attention 
to  the  following  enquiries : 

«lst.  Whether  any«  and  what  agency  the 
nubjeets  of  the  British  government  may  have 
bad  in  exciting  the  Indians  on  the  western  fron- 
tier* to  hostilities  against  the  United  States. 

«  8d.  The  evidence  of  such  hostility*  on  thei 
part  of  the  Indian  tribes*  prior  to  the  late  earn* 
paign  on  the  Wabash. 

«  3d.  The  orders  by  which  the  campaign  wat 
authorised  and  carried  on.'* 

llie  committee  reported*  that  <•  the  evidence 
before  them  was  as  conclusive  as  the  nature  of 
the  case  can  well  bo  supposed  to  admit  of*  that 
the  supply  of  Indian  goods  furnished  at  Fort 
Maiden*  and  distributed  during  the  last  year  b/ 
the  British  agents  in  upper  Canada*  to  the  luf^ 
dian  tribes*  were  more  abundant  than  usual ;  and 
it  if  difficult  to  aceount  for  this  extraordinarj 
liberality*  on  any  other  ground  than  that  of  ai» 
^.ntention  to  attach  the  Indians  to  the  British 
cause*  in  the  event  of  a  war  with  the  United 
States.". 

**  Additional  presents*"  continued  the  commit- 
tee* <«  consisting  of  arms  and  ammunition*  givev 
j|t  a  lime  when  there  ia  evidsnee  thai  the  BriMi|k 


% 


BISTOilT  01  VRB  WMM» 


tH 


Were  apprised  of  the  hostile  disposition  of  tbo 
lodiansy  aooompanied  with  the  speeehes  nddresi- 
ed  to  them*  exeiting  disaffeetiont  are  of  too  deci* 
live  a  eharaeter  to  leave  doubt  on  the  sujeot.'' 

The  part  whieh  the  Indians  (ooIk  in  the  wap 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  StateSf 
tras  an  additional  and  strong  evidence  in  support 
of  the  ageney,  which  the  British  government 
had  in  the  early  hostility  of  the  savages. 

Scaroely  was  the  Indian  war  with  the  north 
western  tribes  brought  to  a  conclusion»  than  tb^ 
tomahawk  was  raised  on  the  south-western  bor* 
der. 

The  touthem  tribes  were  divided  into  parties; 
one  hostile*  the  other  friendly*  to  the  United 
States.  The  former  was  the  stronger  party; 
the  latter  needed  proteetion»  and  were  so  bent  on 
hostility*  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  enforce 
on  them  a  neutral  policy.  A  departure  from  the 
usual  forbearance  of  the  United  States'  govern- 
ment, to  accept  their  services*  was  unavoidable; 
and  the  proffered  services  of  friendly  Indiana 
were  accepted. 

It  having  been  discovered  that  in  eonsequence 
of  an  order  from  a  British  general  in  Canada*  a 
large  quantity  of  munitions  of  war  were  distri- 
buted by  the  Spanish  governor  of  Pensacola» 
among  the  hostile  tribe  of  Indians*  Colonel  Col- 
liet**  with  about  180  men*  marched*  with  a  view 
to  intei^ept  the  Indians,  on  their  return.  On 
the  27th  July*  1813*  on  the  east  side  of  Alaba- 
ma* and  waters  of  Escambia*  he  fell  in  with^ 
and  gave  battle  to  the  Muscogees.  The  fight 
was*  for  a  short  time,  well  maintained  on  both 
aides.  At  the  moment  when  victory  was  about 
to  declare  in  favour  of  Col.  Collier's  party*  a 
Jnoior  offleer^  without  authorityf  «ried  out  **v^ 


:% 


J 


196 


B18T0BT  OV  TSS  WAB. 


It 

(  d 

y  »1 


¥r  .j| 


it 


treat  !'^  It  passed  through  the  ivholeline,  mndf 
notwithstanding  the  exeriions  of  Col.  Collior»  it 
was  impossible  to  ralJ;^  the  militia:  the  enemy 
was  left  master  of  the  field.  Col.  Collier  lost 
two  men  killed^  and  10  \iound(>d.  The  Indians 
acknowledged  a  less  of  six  killed*  and  several 
ivounded.  A  considerable  part  of  the  presents 
brought  by  the  Indians  from  Pensaeola^  fell  into 
Col.  Collier's  hands. 

Fort  Mimmi,  on  Tensaw*  was  unexpectedly 
attacked  on  the  SOth  August,  by  a  large  force  of 
Indians.  The  front  gate  lay  open,  and  the 
Indians  were  rushing  throueb,  when  first  per- 
ceived by  the  garrison.  Tlie  men,  under  com- 
mand of  Major  Beasley,  were  quickly  formed* 
and  a  part  of  them  contested  a  passage  through 
the  gate  with  great  bravery ;  the  action  soon 
became  genera) ;  tbe  port-holes  were  taken  aad 
re-taken  several  times.  A  block-house  was  de- 
fended by  Capt.  Jack  and  a  few  riflemen,  for  an 
hour  after  a  part  of  it  had  been  possessed  by 
the  enemy.  A  galling  fire  was  kept  up  from 
the  houses,  until  the  enemy  gave  fire  to  the 
roofs.  'I'he  place  was  no  longer  tenable.  A 
retreat  was  attempted,  under  direction  of  Capt. 
Bailey,  of  the  militia,  and  Ensign  Chamblessi 
of  the  rifle  company,  hut  a  few  of  the  partj^  were 
able  to  aflTeet  it.  Major  Deasley  fell  while  de- 
fending the  gate,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
aiitibn,  which  continued  for  about  six  hours. — 
Ninety-two  men*  including  oflleers,  were  killed^ 
and  many  respectable  citizens,  with  numerous 
•families,  who  had  abandoned  their  farms  for  sc^ 
curity,  were  also  killed  or  burned  in  the  houiies 
into  which  they  had  fled.  I'he  loss  of  the  ene^ 
my  could  not  be  ascertained^  but  must  have  been 
Tery  considerable* 


*%: 


!.:•*. 


1^ 


HIITOST  01  THE  WA«# 


itr 


Capt.  Kennedy,  who  wis  lenty  after  the  re- 
treat  ot*  the  Indians,  to  bury  the  dead,  made  i^ 
report  to  €h)n.  Claiborne^  of  whieh  the  following 
if  an  extract : 

**-  We  collected  and  consigned  to  the  earth  TWO 
UUN^DREO  AND  FORTY  SEVEN,  including^ 
men,  women  and  children, 

«  The  adjacent  woods  were  strictly  searched  fov 
our  couutrymen,  and  in  that  pursuit  we  discovered 
at  least  one  hundred  §laughtered  Indian9,  They 
were  covered  with  rails,  brush,  8cc.  We  could  not 
be  mistaken  as  to  their  being  Indians,  as  they  were 
interred  with  theik*  war-dress  and  implements— and 
although  they  have  massacred  a  number  of  our  help-> 
less  women  and  children,  it  is^  beyond  doubt,  \.9 
them,  a  dear-bought  victory/' 

The  masaa  're  at  Fort  Mirnms,  wat  followed 
bv  several  other  cruel  murders  in  differenft> 
plaees. 

The  general  government,  having  been  inform- 
ed of  these  transactions,  made  a  requisition  on* 
the  states  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  for  detaeh*^ 
ntents  of  militia,  to  be  sent  against  the  hostiloi 
Indians  of  the  Creek  nation. 

The  legislature  of  the  state  of  Tennessee, 
adopted  a  resolution,  on  the  27th  September^  ior 
the  folio w tug  words :. 

<^  Resolved^  That  the  governor  of  this^  state  bey  andii 
he.is  hereby  required,  forthwith  to  give  immediat» 
information  to  the  executive  of  the  United  States^r  < 
of  the  time  when,  and  the  place  at  which,  the  3v50CP 
men  will  be  prepared  to  obey  the  orders  of  the  gene- 
ral govemm&ot,  accompanied  with  a  request  that  the^V 
said  troops  be  immediately  received*  into  the  publics? 
service/^ 

Tho  legislature  or  Georgia  gave  authority  ti0>, 
the  governor,  to  call  out  sueh  portion  ef  tfao  mW 
litia,,  as.  he  mig|it  deem  neoe8Bar2>>f«c  tlie'  i 


■  I  **•  1 


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rity  and  protection  of  the  frontier  inhabitants  ; 
and  requiring  that  ho  call  on  ihe  genera!  govern- 
ment for  subsistence  for  the  troops  that  migiit 
be  thus  called  out.  This  was,  in  effect^  putting 
them  at  the  disposal  of  the  general  government. 

The  militia  of  the  states  of  Georgia  and  Ten- 
nessee,  with  the  nearest  regular  troops  and 
6ther  corps  from  the  Mississippi  territory,  were 
ihardied  against  (he  hostile  savages.  General 
Andrew  Jackson  commanded  the  entire. 

The  first  victory  (for  every  battle  after  this 
p<^riod  was  a  victory,)  is  thus  detailed  by  General 
Jackson  :  '   i^ 

"  We  have  retaliated  for  the  destruction  of  Fort 
Mimms.  On  the  2d,  I  detach;;d  Gen.  Coffee  with  a 
part  of  his  brigade  of  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen, 
to  destroy  Tallushatches,  where  a  considerable  force 
of  the  hostile  Creeks  were  concentrated.  The  gen- 
eral executed  this  in  style.  A  hundred  and  eighiy* 
six  of  the  enemy  were  found  dead  on  the  field,  and 
about  80  taken  prisoners,  40  of  whom  have  been 
brought  here.  In  the  number  left,  there  is  a  suffi- 
ciency but  slightly  wounded,  to  take  care  of  those 
who  are  badly. 

<*  I  have  to  regret,  that  five  of  my  brave  fellows 
have  been  killed,  and  about  30  wounded  \  some  bad- 
ly, but  none  I  hope  mortally.  .       << 

<^  Both  officers  and  men  behaved  with  the  utmost 
bravci^  and  deliberation.  , 

**  Captains  Smith,  Bradley,  and  Winston,  are 
grounded,  all  slightly.     No  officer  is  killed." 

It  appears,  by  Gen.  Coffee's  statement*  dated 
Camp  at  Ten  Islands  of  Coosa,  November  4(h, 
that  the  Iqdians  fought  with  a  bravery  that 
^ould  dothem  honour,  had  they  been  engaged  in 
a  just  cause,  with  an  obstinacy  that  would  yield 
to  nothing  but  death,  and  with  a  contempt  of 
4jEU)|;6r  truly  tharficteriHiQ  of  the  sayage.^MMi 


■f^.r 


■'USic" 


U^'-A 


BlSTaBT   OF  THB   WAR. 


±99 


'f  he  detachment,  under  command  of  Gen.  Coffee, 
consisted  of  600,  cavalry  and  mounted  nflemeo. 
Being  arrived  within  one  and  a  ha!  >' miles  of  the 
Taliusliatohes  town,  the  detachment  wus  divided 
into  two  columns,  the  right  tromposed  of  the 
cavalry,  under  Col.  AUcoi*n;  the  left  composed 
of  mounted  riflemen,  under  Col.  Cannon.  Gen. 
Coffee,  marched  with  the  riflemen;  Col.  Alleorn: 
encircled  one  half  of  the  town,  while  Col.  Can- 
non completed  the  circle,  by  closing  on  the  side 
opposite  to  Col.  Alleorn.  When  witliin  half  a 
mile  of  the  town,  the  drums  ofahe  enemy  beat, 
and  the  savage  yells  announced  that  the  enemy 
was  prepared  for  battle.  In  about  an  hour  af- 
ter sun- rise,  Capt.  Hammond,  and  Lieut.  Patter- 
son's companies  went  within  the  circle,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  drawing  forth  the  enemy,  and  com- 
menced  the  battle,  when  they  withdrew  before 
a  violent  charge  from  the  Indians,  until  they 
reached  Col.  Allcorn's  column,  when  a  gene- 
ral fire  was  opened  on  the  savages,  who  retreat- 
ed, firing  until  they  got  around  and  into  their 
buildings.  Here  they  fought  as  long  as  one 
existed.  No  quarter  was  sought,  and  noner- 
fV'om  all  ap[)earance,  would  be  accepted.  The 
assabU  by  the  troops  was  warm  and  courageous* 
rushing  up  to  the  doors  of  the  houses,  as  little 
intimidated  as  if  there  was  no  enemy  to  op|M>se 
them,  in  a  conflict  of  this  nature,  it  was  im<« 
possible  to  provide  against  the  destruction  of  a 
few  of  the  squaws  and  children.  The  number 
of  the  enemy  killed  must  have  exceeded  200 ; 
186  of  whom  were  found;  84*  women  and  chil- 
dren were  taken  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  mi- 
litia consisted  of  5  privates  killed:  3  captaiki^j^ 
2  lieutenants,  2  cornets,  3  sergeants,  S  corpa*^ 
pSnf  i  mrtifieeri  and  ^  priYates;  wounde4» 


■U  A 


« 


*f^. 


1%  m 


m 


111  ••   ,\ ■''"'' 

m 
I'M 

AT 


2»# 


«9T0mT  Of  THB  WAlu' 


.  Od  the  e^eniiig  of  the  7th  NoTember^  an  esr- 
press  arrived  to  Gen.  Jackson,  with  infer mationf 
that  the  hostile  Creeks  had  eneamped  in  great 
force  near  Lashley*s,  fort  (Talladaga,)  with  the 
apparent  intention  of  attacking  the  friendly  In- 
dians. The  general  immediately  marehed  with 
about  SOOO  men^  against  the  enemy,  and  en- 
•amped  that  night  within  six  miles  of  the  fort. 
At  4  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  he  con- 
tinued his  march  toward  the  enemy,  who  was 
encamped  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  fort^ 
to  reiicTe  which.  Gen.  Jaekson  had  so  expedi- 
tiously moved.  At  sun- rise,  the  General  was 
vithinhalfa  mile  of  the  fen,  when  he  moved 
forward  in  order  of  battle,  llie  plan  of  attack 
was  similar  ta  that  which  proved  so  successful 
on  the  dd  inst.  The  enemy  was  to  be  enclosed 
in  a  circle.  The  advanced  guard  sent  forward 
to  bring  on  the  engagement,  succeeded  in  di*aw- 
ing  forward  the  savages  toward  the  main  body 
of  the  army.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Indians^, 
withm  a  short  distance  of  the  main  body  of  the 
army,  a  few  companies  of  the  militia  eomraene^ 
cd  a  retreat ;  but  finding  their  place  quiekly 
supplied  by  a  body  of  cavalry,  who  dismounted 
for  the  purpose,  the  militia  rallied,  when  a  gen- 
eral fire  from  the  front,  and'  irom  that  part 
ef  the  wings^  which  was  contiguous,  was  pourecl 
on  the  savages,  who,  unable  to  withstand  or  rp- 
sist,  retreated;  but  were  met  at  every  tur  , 
and  repulsed  in  every  direction.  Had  It  not 
been  for  the  retreat  of  the  militia,  in  the  early 
pari  of  the  action,  ibis  victory  would  probably 
have  been  as  eoroplete  as  that  of  the  •^d.  The- 
Tietory,  however,  was  very  decisive ;  990  of  tbo* 
enemy  were  left  dead  on  the  field:  many  moro- 
mce  Bffobablj  killed^  wh«.  were  not  fimid^aiMi 


»i> 


/.  .1»f. 


BISTORT  OT  THE  Wv%S..'.f 


201 


many^  or  most  of  those  who  escaped,  must  have 
been  wounded.  Jackson  was  coinpeiled  to  re- 
turn to  his  camp  near  the  Ten  uplands,  having 
marched  from  thence  without  ba^;'gage»  or  other 
necessaries  that  could  he  dispensed  with»  or 
niiglit  retard  his  march.  He  hist,  in  the  en-  . 
gagement,  17  killed,  and  86  woniided.  Tiie  vj^ 
einy  exceeded  1000  warriors.  A  stand  of  co- 
lours, bearing  the  Spanish  cross,  was  taken  front, 
them. 

On  the  12th  November,  Gen.  White  was  do- 
(ached  from  Fort  Armstrong,  on  the  ivoosa* 
with  about  1100  mounted  men,  (including  up- 
wards of  3U0  Cherokee  Indians,]  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  the  Hillabee  towns^  on  the  west 
side  of  Tallapoosa  river.  On  tlie  17th,  about  one 
o'clock  at  night,  the  detachment  marehed  with- 
in eight  miles  of  the  uppor  town,  received  infor- 
mation from  one  of  their  spies.,  a  lialf  breed  and 
son  of  a  Mr.  Grayson,  who  had  rAnsijderable 
property,  and  resided  in  that  place,  that  his  fam- 
ily and  property  would  be  sacrificed  by  the  In- 
dians on  the  next  day,  if  Gen.  White  did  not  re- 
lieve him.  Gen.  Wbite,  with  alacrity»  dismount- 
ed t/iree  hundred  of  his  troops,  with  par^of  the 
Indians,  and  marched  to  surprise  the  town  be- 
fore day-light.  Having  lar^e  creeks  to  wade* 
and  the  vaiK  having  to  tarry  some  time  for  .the 
rear,  which  had  fallen  behind  bome  distanccy 
the  town  was  not  reached  until  sun  rise  on  the  - 
18th.  when  the  tawn  was  completely  surround- 
ed, and  the  savage  enemy  '/received  the  first  fii;!e 
without  the  least  notice  of  the  approach.  They 
iired.  several  guns,  but  were  charged  lion^B 
upon  them  with  loaded  muskets,  and  charge  ef 
bayonets  ;  and  in  f  0  or  ib  minutes  they  held  up 
adag»and  the  firing  ceaM*    An  Xadian  tonia 


ftV'. 


1^ 

mn 

m 

il 

m 

m 

*^i 

m 

^4: 

^ 

V,  .■- 

M 

m 

m 

W^ 

w^-' 

i 

W 

^lljM 

■!■?:,« 

# 


mrA 

li^^ 

rki 

'*1  ' 

1  ♦ 

'•'■' 

>jj 

% 

.  3 

ij 

5a 

ii 

w^ 

^ 

mPf 

m 


w 

I) 


',4?! 


^W0 


VltTOBT  •*  Vim  WAli* 


.^. 


"•?!* 


HtUttle  Oakfuskce^  oonsisting  of  ^^  hoiiWf,t 
town  called  Genalga*  consisting  of  93  liouacH 
were  burned  bjr  the  troops  in  their  mareh.  Tb» 
great  number,  if  not  the  whole  of  the  bostilr 
Creeksy  assembled  at  the  Hillabee  town,  eon* 
listing  of  about  316,  were  either  killed  or  cap* 
tured.  Sixty  warriors  were  killed  on  the  spot^ 
Gen.  White's  detachment  had  not  a  man  killed 
•r  wounded. 

"^  Gen.  Floyd,  with  950  of  the  Georgja  militia» 
•nd  between  300  and  400  friendly  Indians,  pro- 
ceeded to  a  town  ealled  Auttossee,  on  the  south- 
cm  bank  of  the  Tallepoosa,  about  18  mUesfrom 
the  Hickory  Ground,  in  order  to  attack  a  large 
ibrce  of  hostile  Indians*  reported  to  be  assem* 
bled  at  that  place.  Lt  VM  en  L'^  r  after  six 
o'clock,  in  the  moroV '^  of  the  2S)th  November, 
the  expedition  reaoL<}d  the  front  of  the  town, 
and  the  men  were  formed  for  acticui.  At  this 
time,  when  the  army  was  about  to  execute  a 
pre-concerted  manoeuTre,  for  the  purpose  of 
surrounding  the  enemy,  a  second  town  was  dis- 
covered about  500  yards  below  that  which  was 
first  discovered.  This  compelled  Gen.  Floyd  ta 
adopt  a  new  manoeuvre,  by  dividing  and  dispos- 
ing his  force,  so  that  both  towns  might  be  at- 
tacked at  once.  This  disposition  being  made» 
and  the  troops  having  advanced,  thi^ battle  con- 
nenoed,  and  soon  became  general.  The  Indians 
fought  with  their  usual  obstinacy  and  despera- 
tion, but  were  soon  compelled,  by  the  superior 
foroe  of  artillery,  and  a  charge  of  bayonets,  to 
retreat,  and  take  refuge  in  the  outjjpuses  and 
copses  Sn  the  rear  of  the  town.  At  nme  c'elock, 
the  enetny  was  completely  driven  from  the  plain, 
and  the  houses  wrapt  in  flames.  The  militia 
Mof  OOmilei  from  toy  depot  of  protliioiii^  IM 


.    1 


'   -.  ■  .f  *v 


.# 


liv 


«/ 


StlTOAT  •!.  THB  WAi« 


♦  -  '  ,    • 

id  llOIIMfytl 
93  hoUMt^ 

areh.  Tb» 
the  bostilr 
towDy  eon* 
led  or  cap- 
m  the  spot., 
i  man  killed 

*gia  militiat 
diansy  pro- 
I  the  south- 
mUesfroni 
lek  a  large 
be  assem* 
r  after  six 
Movembery 
^  the  town» 
n.    Ai  thii 
I  execute  a 
purpose   of 
vrn  liiras  dis- 
which  was 
n.  Flojd  ta 
and  dispos- 
ight  be  at- 
eing  roade» 
[)attle  eon- 
^he  Indians 
d  despera- 
e  supierior 
ayoiiets,  to 
Ipilses  and 
S^t#'elock» 
I  the  plaittf 
Pbe  militia 


m 


tut  little  remaining,  it  was  judgeJ  impradeat  tm 
continue  in  the  heart  of  a  countr;^^  surrounded 
by  hosts  of  savages.  This  place  was,  therefore^ 
abandoned,  and  the  troops  eommenced  tbeit 
march  to  Chatahouchie. 

Auttossee  was  a  favourite  spot  with  the  Indi^ 
ans«  and  it  is  conjectured,  that  the  force  as^tein* 
bled  from  several  towns  for  its  defence,  must  have 
been  very  considerable,  ft  is  difficult  to  give  a 
precipe  account  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy  ;  but 
from  the  number  which  we-re  lying  scattered 
over  the  field*  together  with  those  destroyed  in 
the  towns,  and  the  many  slain  on  the  bank  of 
the  river,  which  respectable  officers  affirm  tbey 
saw  lying  in, heaps  at  the  water's  edge,  where 
they  had  been  precipitated  by  their  surviving 
friends,  iheir  loss  in  killed,  independent  of  their 
wounded,  must  have  been  at  least  tOO,  (among 
whom  were  the  Auttossee  and  Tallasee  kings  ;) 
and  from  the  circumstance  of  their  making  no 
efforts  to  molest  the  troops,  probably  greater* 
The  number  of  buildings  burnt,  some  of  a  supe- 
rior order,  for  the  dwellings  of  savages,  and  fill- 
ed with  valuable  articles,  is  supposed  to  be  400. 

The  number  of  the  Americans  killed  and 
wounded,  as  furnished  by  the  hospital  surgeoup 
was— Total  killed,  11  ;  total  wounded^  54 ;  a^ 
mong  whom  was  tjen.  Floyd,  badly. 

A  detaehment,  under  command  of  Gen.  Clai« 
borne^  marched  from  Fort  Claiborne,  east  bank 
ef  the  Alabama,  on  the  lath  of  December,  a-^ 
gainst  the  Indians  residing  on  the  Ali|bama» 
above  the  mouth  of  the  Cahaba.  After  a  march 
ef  more  than  100  miles*  principally  through 
woods,  without  a  track  to  guide  them,  the/ 
came  in  sight  of  a  new  town,  lately  built  by  ihn 
ladbiis^  on  a  ground  called  **  IIoly«'V  XdJH' 


s 


:m. 


■im 


^§ 

PI 

m 

WK 

t'')- 

1 

k 

.^9 

tv'    '  i 

^ 

M 

1 

r 

Ml'-*' 


ur^ 


\/  '■' 


m 


i»k 


BISTORT  OF  TUB  WAB. 


4"! 


''^•^■if  ■•■■ 


,■  ■        '■"(■  V 
I    '•■-.(ilH 

i 

m 

'iliVl  I 


town  was  established  as  a  place  of  seearitj  141* 
tire  iaiiabitantH  ot*  several  viUfiges  ;  aii4  ibrce 
of  the  prophets  resided  in  i4.  I'he  plaee  was 
then  occupied  hy  a  lai*ge  hud^  of  the  eoeiii^^irn- 
di'i*  the  command  of  Wetherford,  a  b^ild  aad 
sanguinary  chief,  who  was  ■  one  of  tboso  who 
commanded  tlie  Indians  at  the  ma8saci*e  of  the 
j^rrison  and  inhabitants  at  Fort  Minims.  ;:Abi>ut 
noon,  on  the  23d  Deeember,  the  right  ^  eoluiiin 
of  the  army,  composed  of  t't  month's  voJunterrSf 
commanded  by  Col.  Joiiepb  Carson,  came  in 
view  of  the  town,  and  was  immediately  and  vig. 
orousl>  attacked  by  the  enemy,  wbo^  being'^ap- 
prized  of  the  approach  of  the  troops,  had  chosen 
their  field  of  action.  Before  the  other  troops  or 
friendly  lndian»eouldeome  gener:iJly  iiita  action^ 
the  enemy  were  repulsed,  and  %ing  in  all-di- 
rections. 'IMiirty  of  the  enemy  were  kiUed^  and 
many  wourded.  The  loss  to  the*  army  wa«  one 
killed  and  six  wounded.  A  pursuit  was  attempt- 
ed; but  found  to  be  imprarlicable,  owinfc  loathe 
nature  of  the  g*round.  The  town,  eenstsilnfj  4>f 
200  houses  was  burned*  together  with  a  large 
f]u:intity  of  provisions,  and  immense  property  of 
various  kinds,  which  the  enemy  could  not  carry 
away.  I'he^  next^lay  was  employed  in  destroy- 
ing a  town  consintiug  of  sixty  houses,  eight  miles 
higher  up  the  river.  '      •'  *«^4i 

Notwithstanding  these  repeated  defeats^  the 
savages  seemed  y»>l  bent  on  war.  BctVire  day, 
on  the  morning  of  the  27th  Januarys,  a  ifefy 
large  body  of  IndiaRS  attacked  the  troops  at 
Camp  Defiance.  k<H  miles  west  of  GhatahOuChie. 
71ie  on^et  was  desperate^  and  the  surprise  hs 
Complete  as  posMble.^  In  20  minutes  after  ftr- 
ing  on  the  centinch,  the  action  became  general, 
'tha  coetny  pressing  close  ob  the  fitont>  ii|;M  tnid 


BISTORY  aF  TflS  WAU. 


d05 


left  flanks  of  the  arm.v  ;  but  the  savages  were 
re|ielled  at  every  |>oint.  The  enemjr  rushed 
nearly  to  the  cannon's  mouthy  and  gained  the 
rear  or  the  picket  guards,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Broadnax  ;  but  the  latter  bravely  cut  their  way 
through  the  savages,  and  joined  the  army.  As 
soon  as  day  dawned,  and  objects  could  be  dis- 
tinguished, a  charge  was  ordered,  and  the  en- 
emy fled  berore  the  bayonet.  The  sigtial  was 
given  for  the  charge  oF*  the  cavalry,  who  pur- 
sued and  sabred  13  of  the  enemy  ;  who  left  37 
dead  on  the  field.  From  the  efiiision  of  blood 
and  the  numlier  of  head  dresses,  and  war-clubsy 
foiind  in  various  directions,  their  loss  must  have 
been  considerable.  The  loss  of  the  army,  on 
this  occ<(sion,  was  17  kilted,  and  13'2  wounded. 
Of  the  friendly  Indians,  five  were  killed,  and  15 
wounded. 

^  Gen.  Jackson,  having  received  information  at 
liis  head-quarters.  Fort  Strother,  from  Captain 
Bl*\lpin,  who  commanded  at  Fort  Armstrong, 
in  the  absence  of  Col.  Snoc^rass,  that  14  or  15 
towns  of  the  enemy,  situated  on  the  waters  of 
the  TallapooseCt  were  about  uniting  their  forces, 
and  attacking  the  fort,  which  was  then  in  a 
fet^ble  state  of  defence,  the  general  resolved  on 
an  excursion  into  the  enemy's  country,  further 
than  had  been  hitherto  attempted.  He  accord* 
ingly  commenced  his  march  on  the  Idth  January, 
with  9SQ  men,  exclusive  of  Indians.  On  the 
38th,  the  army  encamped  at  Talladega  fort, 
where  it  was  joined  by  about  200  friendly  Creek 
Indians*  and  65  Cherokees.  Here  the  general 
received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Snodgrass,  who 
had  returned  to  Fort  Armstrong,  informing  him^ 
that  an  attack  was  soon  to  be  made  on  that  fort, 
hji  90il>  of  the  eaemy*    It  was  further  iinder- 

s 


■-^ 


m 

wl 

m 

mi 

W^ 

Ki^r 

^ 

W^-\ 

m 


^S.: 


U^'J^W> 


^1:1 


um 


UlSTOBT  07  TUB  IVAB* 


1^  ^''■r&r 


aiooCi,  that  theenem^  ^as  collecting  inaben^ 
of  the  Tallapoosee,  near  the  niouih  of  a  ereek 
oallcd  Emuckfau,  on  an  island  below  New-Yor- 
ean.  t 

On  the  20th9  at  ni^t,  the  army  encamped 
at  a  small  Hillabee  village^  about  12  miles  from 
Emuckfau.  On  the  21  sty  the  army  marohed  In 
a  direct  line  for  the  bend  of  the  Tallapoosee.— - 
In  the  afternoon,  the  army  halted,  and  the  geo> 
eral  determined  to  encamp  for  the  night,  that 
he  might  have  time  to  reconnoitre,  and  make 
'dispositions  for  attack,  if  he  were  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  a  large  force,  which,  from  appear- 
ance, he  judged  to  be  the  case.  Having  ehosen 
an  eligible  scite,  the  army  encamped  in  a  hollow 
square.  Spies  and  pickets  were  s<*nt  out,  the 
sentinels  doubled,  and  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  resist  an  attack,  if  it  should 
be  attempted  during  the  night ;  or  to  make  one, 
if  the  enemy  could  be  found  at  day- light  the 
following  morning.  While  the  army  was  in  thi» 
state  of  readiness,  the  enemy,  about  six  o'cloek 
in  the  morning,  commenced  a  vigorous  attack  on 
the  left  flank,  which  was  as  vigoi*ou8]y  met.  The 
action  raged  for  half  an  hour  on  the  left  of  the 
rear  of  the  army. 

The  brave  Gen.  Coffee,  with  Col.  Sittler,  the 
adjutant-general,  and  Col.  Carroll,  the  inspector- 
general,  the  moment  the  firing  commenced, 
mounted  their  horses  and  repaired  to  the  line.i 
encouragling  and  animating  the  men  to  the  per- 
formance of  their  doty.  So  soon  as  it  became 
light  enough  to  pursue,  the  left  wing,  having 
sustained  the  heat  of  the  action,  and  being  some- 
what weakened^  was  reinforced  by  Captain  Fer- 
riirs  company  of  infantry,  and  was  ordered  and 
led  on  the  charge  by  General  Qoffee,  wk»vts» 


^. 


.« 


HI8T0BY   OF   THE   WAU* 


m 


well  supported  by  Col.  Higgins»  and  the  inspee- 
tor-^neral,  and  b^^  all  the  officers  and  privates ' 
who  eompo8ed  that  line.    The  enemy  was  ooin- 

Sletely  routed  at  every  point,  and  the   friendly 
ndiana  joining  in  the  pursuit,  tbey  were  chased 
about  two  miies^  with  considerable  slaughter. 

Gen.  Coffee,  who  was  detached  with  4-UO  raen^ 
to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  encampment,  return- 
ed, with  a  view  to  bring  up  the  artillery,  which 
lie  deemed  necessary  to  the  attack.  In  half  an 
hour  after  his  return,  a  considerable  force  of 
the  enemy  commenced  a  fire  on  a  party  of  men 
who  were  then  in  search  of  Indians.  Gen.  Cof- 
fec)  with  only  54  men,  a  part  of  200  who  were 
to  have  acted  with  him,  corqmenoed  an  attack 
en  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy  ;  200  friendly  In* 
dians  were  ordered  at  the  same  time  to  attack 
the  enemy's  right.  At  this  moment  it  was  dis- 
oovered  that  the  attack  of  the  enemy  was  but  a 
feint,  having  intended,  by  drawing  off  the  gene- 
ral's attention  from  his  left,  to  attack  it  with 
success  :  in  this  the  enemy  was  disappointed. 
The  whole  line  met  the  approach  of  the  enemy 
with  astonishing  intrepidity,  and  having  charg- 
ed, forced  the  savages  to  retreat  with  precipita' 
tion.  They  Avere  pursued  to  a  considerable 
distance,  and  severely  galled  hy  a  very  destruc- 
tive fire. 

?  During  this  transaction.  Gen.  Coffee  was  con- 
tending against  a  very  superior  force.  As  soon 
as  iwssible,  a  reinforcement  was  sent  to  his  aid, 
which  soon  decided  the  oontest  in  that  quarter  : 
the  enemy  was  charged,  routed,  and  pursued  for 
three  miles.  Nothing  now  remained  but  to  de- 
stroy an  empty  eamp,  which  did  not  seem  of  suf- 
^cient  importance  to  delay  a  return  to  Fort 
vStrother,  which  was  commenced  on  the  follo.w* 
ing  morning. 


W' 


m 


l!»-';^'!<ii 


208 


HfSTtfBT  •¥  TH8  WA1I< 


On  the  24th9  as  Ihe  men  ^vere  orossini;  the 
^  £noCraehopoo  ereeky  an  alarm  gun  annonneed 
the  advance  of  the  enemy.  Gen.  Jackson  ex^ 
pected  an  attack,  and  hud  dispositions  made  tv 
turn  it  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  enemy.  Tho 
right  and  left  columns  of  the  army  were  direct- 
ed to  turn  on  their  pivots,  recross  the  creek 
above  and  below,  and  fall  on  the  enemy's  flanks 
and  rear.  The  manceuvre,  if  executed,  would 
probably  prove  as  destructive  to  the  enemy  aa 
anything  hitherto  attempted;  but,  at  the  mo- 
ment when  a  few  guns  were  fired,  the  right  and 
Jeft  columns  of  the  rear  guard  gave  way  ;  the 
greater  part  of  the  centre  column  followed  the 
disastrous  example,  leaving  not  n>ore  than  S5 
men,  who  maintained  their  ground  as  long  as 
possible.  There  was  then  left  to  repulse  the 
cnemy^  but  the  few  who  remained  in  the  reatf 
gual*d,  the  artillery  company,  and  Capt.  RusseM's 
company  of  spies.  Amidst  a  most  galling  fire 
from  the  enemy,  this  little  band,  not  one- tenth 
of  the  number  opposed  to  it,  advanced  to  the 
attack.  The  artillery  and  a  few  others  gained 
the  top  of  a  hill,  drawing  up  with  them  a  six 
pounder,  when  they  poured  on  the  enemy  several 
discharges  of  grape,  then  charged,  repulsed*  and 
pursued  him  for  two  miles,  leaving  26  of  their 
warriors  dead  on  the  field.  The  loss  in  these 
several  engagements,  was  20  killed  and  75 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  eould  not  be 
exactly  ascertained  ;  189  of  their  warriors  were 
found  dead  ;  this  undoubtedly  formed  bnt  a  part 
of  the  killed ;  the  wounded  must  have  been  pro«* 
portionably  numerous. 

All  the  eileots  intended  by  this  exeui*s!otf^ 
seem  to  have  been  produced.  If  an  attack  waft 
intended  against  Fort  Armstrong,  that  was  pre-. 


sr 


m 


msToar  •■  thk  wab. 


20^ 


rented  f  a  diversion  was  made  in  favour  of  Gen, 
Floyd,  who  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  Talla- 
poosoe  I  the  numher  of  the  enemy  was  lessened* 
and  their  confidence  in  their  leaders  broken  in 
on  ;  the  enemy's  country  was  explored,  and  a 
road  cut  through  an  important  part  of  it  ;  and, 
on  the  whole,  tended  to,  and  hastened  the  termi- 
nation of  Indian  hostilities,  as  much>  if  not  more* 
than  any  previous  expedition. 

Hitherto  the  enemy  was  engaged  either  in 
the  open  field,  or  in  situations  where  he  liad 
little  advantage  from  works  of  art,  and  not  much 
from  nature.  One  situation  remained  to  be  as- 
sailed, where  a  skilful  display  of  art  rendered  a 
position,  naturally  strong,  so  seemingly  impreg- 
nable^ that  it  required  a  groat  effort  of  coui'age 
to  approach  it,  a  consummate  skill  to  direct  the 
attaokit  and  a  persevering,  imdauntcd  resolution^ 
to  prosecute  it  to  suocesst 

In  the  bend  of  the  Tallapoosee,  two  miles  be- 
yond where  Gen.  Jackson  engaged  the  Indians 
on  the  22d  January,  the  savages  had  fixed  on  a 
seite  for  erecting  a  fortification.  Nature  fur- 
nished few  places  more  eligible  for  defence,  and 
it  was  improved  by  art,  wilh  a  skill  not  discov- 
ered before  in  an  Indian  fortification.  The  bend 
resembles^  in  its  curvature,  a  horse-shoe.  Across 
the  neck  of  land,  which  leads  into  it  from  the 
north,  a. breastwork  was  erected,  of  tlue  greatest 
compactness  and  strength,  from  5  to  8  feet 
hieh,  and  prepared  with  double  rows  of  port- 
h<Ses,  very  artfully  arranged ;  an  uvmy  eotild. 
not  approach  it,  without  being  exposed  to  a^ 
double  and  cross  fire  from  the  enemy,  who  lay 
In  perfect  security  behind  it.,  Gen.  Jackson  re- 
solved OB  the  attack  of  this  important  and  dou- 
M;  strong  positioo.    The  Indian  force  amount^ 


210 


HHIORT  •!  THE  WAB.  ^ 


^r:: 


t'    ?"!'''{' .4'' 


llK.vM 


Jil'MlKI 


'  .»V, 


cd  to  about*  or  upwards  of  1000  warriors.  The 
army  approached  this  formidable  position  oi 
the  27th  March,  near  enough  to  prt^pare  fer 
the  attack.  General  Coffee^  with  the  moanted 
men,  and  nearly'  'he  whole  of  the  Indian  foree^ 
crossed  the  river  about  two  miles  below  the  ea*- 
oampmenty  with  a  view  to  prevent  the  escape  of 
the  Indians  ;  the  infantry  advanced  slowly  along 
the  point  of  lan«l  which  led  to  the  front  of  the 
breastwork;  a  sir.  and  a  three  pound  cannon  were 
planted  on  an  enrjnenocy  at  a  drstance  of  IM  t# 
200  j^ards  from  \U  A  fire  from  rifles  was  di« 
reoted  against  the  enemy »  whenever  he  showed 
himself  beyond  his  defences.  When  this  fire 
was  kept  up  ab4»ut  two  hours*  a  party  crossed 
over  in  canoes,  nnd  fired  a  few  of  the  bttildingsi 
and  then  advanf  hig  boldly  up  to  the  breastwork^ 
eommenced  a  fiie  on  the  enemy  behind  it.  Thil 
proving  insufficient  to  dislodge  him,  Gen.  Jack^ 
jBon  resolved  to  take  it  by  storm.  The  troops 
received  the  order  with  acclamation,  and  adv 
Vanced  with  ai>  ardent  and  zealous  enthusiasm. 
"  Having  maintained,''  says  Gen.  Jackson,  la 
Lis  letter  to  Gov.  Blount,  «  for  a  few  minutes 
a  very  obstinate  contest,  muzzle  to  muzzlci 
through  the  iiort-holes*  in  which  many  of  the 
enemy's  ballp  were  welded  to  the  bayonets  of 
out*  muskets,  our  troops  succeeded   in   gaining 

?ossession  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  works; 
'he  event  c  mid  no  longer  be  doubtful.  Tire 
enemy,  althoaeh  many  of  them  fought  to  tbe  last 
with  that  kincT  of  bravery  which  desperation  in^ 
spires,  were  at  length  routed  and  cut  to  pieeeSk 
The  whole  margin  of  the  river  which  surround^ 
cd  the  peniiisula,  was  strewed  with  the  slain/' 
The  fighting  oontittued  wi%h  some  severity  about 
#fe  hours.    Five  hundred  »ad  fifty-seyen  of  tltt 


t 


UltTORT  OV  THB   WAB. 


Sit 


Mtniy  were  left  dead  on  the  pentosulay  and  m 
great  number  were  killed  in  aliein|itiug  to  ero«t 
the  river ;  it  was  supposed  that  not  more  than 
20  escaped ;  260  women  and  children  were  taken 
prisoners.  Gen.  Jaokson*s  loss  amounted  to  43 
white  men  killed  ;  and  173  wounded;  :28  friend<* 
ly  Indians  killed,  ami  47  wounded. 

rhis  battle  broke  down  the  spirits,  as  it  ma<< 
terialljf  reduced  tlie  remaining  stretigth  of  the 
savages.  Weiherford  surrend«*red  himself  to 
Oen.  Jaekson.  Six  oi  seven  towns  followed  the 
example  of  this  chief.  Jl«<{ueen,  with  500  of 
his  followers  retired  to  the  Escambia- river» 
near  Pensacola.  Peace  was  quickly  restored. 
I'he  militia  were  disbanded^  and  returned  to 
their  homes. 

*^  Wetherfordy  whose  unoonditional  surrender 
has  been  just  mentioned,  had  been  the  most  ac« 
tive  and  sanguinary  of  all  the  Indian  chiefs,  H# 
signalized  himself  in  several  aotions  :  ever  pre* 
sent  where  danger  pressed,  he  was  the  constant 
advocate  of  murder  and  extermination.  In  a 
private  interview  with  Gen.  Jackson,  he  deliver* 
ed  the  following  speech  : 

****  I  fought  at  Fort  Mimms— I  fought  the  Geor- 
jgian  army-.-!  did  you  alF  the  injury  I  could-*»had  I 
been  supported  as  1  was  promised,  1  would  have 
done  you  more.  But  my  warriors  are  all  killed^-j^ 
can  fight  you  no  longer,  I  look  back  with  sorrow^ 
that  1  have  brought  destruction  on  my  nation.  I 
am  now  in  your  power — do  With  fne  as  you  please. 
Ham  a  soldier." 

The  baiHbarous  complexion  wbuih  the  enemy: 
gave  to  the  war,  was  not  confined  to  the  em* 
ployment  of  Indians.  We  have  already  detailed 
Darbarities  in  which  Indians  did  not  partieipate. 
Many  others  must  jremalA  untold  ^  our  iimitt 


\»i. 


^^ 


BISTORT  07  THE  IfVAB. 


'^i-^-.': 


'Mm. 

■W«i!i 

m 
M 


^ill  not  admit  of  a  full  detail  of  tbis  part  of  the 
subject.  The, treatment  to  prisoners  of  war  was 
not  merely  unusual  ;  it  was^  in  the  last  degree* 
cruely  unprecedented,  barbarous.  The  authen- 
ticated proofs,  congressional  records,  affidavits^ 
&e»  are  shockingly  numerous.  .^  r^y-^t,:^ 

The  exercise,  by  Britain,  of  a  presumed  right 
to  command,  at  all  times,  the  serviees  of  native 
subjects,  gave  rise  to  one  of  the  causes^  of  war, 
to  wit,  the  impressment  of  seamen  out  of  neutral 
Tessels  on  the  high  seas.  This  principle,  it  was 
intended,  should  govern  the  enemy  in  coiq:^uc|t 
ing  the  war.  ' 

The  crew  of  the  U.  S.  brig  Nautilus,  which 
had  been  captured .  in  the  early  part  of  the  war, 
arrived  at  Boston  in  a  cartel,  the  12th  Septem- 
ber, 1812,  except  six  men,  who  were  put  in 
irons  ;  and  were  as  Lieut.  Crane  understood,  to 
be  tried  for  their  lives  as  British  subjects f  found 
in  arms  against  their  king.  Com.  Rodgcrs,  on 
learning  the  circumstance,  stopped  a  cartel 
^vhich  had  got  underway  for  Halifax,  and  took 
out  twelve  Englishmen  as  hostages  for  the  six 
Americans. 

On  the  12th  October,  six  of  the  crew  of  the. 
private  armed  ship  Sarah- Ann,  which  was  cap- 
tured and  sent  to  Nassau,  were  taken  out  of 
jail,  and  sent  to  Jamaica,  to  be  there  tried  as 
British  sul^ects,  found  in  arms  against  their 
king.  It  appears,  that  on  this  occasion,  the 
British  officer  fell  into  a  mistake,  similar  to 
those  which  had  been  so  commonly  committed 
before  the  declaration  of  war ;  four  of  the  per- 
sons thus  detained  were  natives  of  tlie  United 
States  ;  the  others  were  Irishmen  by  birth,  but 
had  been  naturalized  citizens  of  the  United 
states.    Ooi  the  arnval  of  Capt.  Mood;  (lat^ 


m 


t 


■'^. 


BISTORT  or  THB  WAB. 


2ia 


oommander  oF  the  Sarah-Ann,)  at  Char1eston» 
12^  Englishmen,  including  a  midshipman,  were 
put  in  close  confinement,  as  hostages  for  the  8ix< 
men  taken  from  Capt.  Moon's  crew. 

By  a  letter  from  Geo.  S.  \Vise,  purser  of  the 
United  States'  sloap  of  war  Wasp,  to  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  it  appears  that  after  the  eapturo 
of  lliat  vessel,  by  the  British  ship  Poictiers,  12 
of  the  crew  of  the  Wa^p  were  detained  by  Capt* 
Beresford,  as  British  subjects. 

Tlmt  the  enemy  intended  to  deny  to  olhers 
the  exercise  of  right  in  manner  as  claimed  by 
liitnsflf,  is  evident,  from  the  circumstance  of 
the  British  Admiral  Warren  Imving  refus<ed  tlie> 
liberation  of  Thomas  Dunn,  a  natinre  of  the  U. 
States,  because  the  said  Dunn,  has  been  married 
in  Englandt  and  bad  been  eight  years  in  his  ma- 
jesty's service.  I'he  application  fbr  bis  libera-^ 
tion  was  made  by  Mr.  Mitchell,  U.  S.  agent  fat 
the  exchange  of  prisoners  at  Halifax,  at  the 
particular  request  of  the  father  of  said  Dudd^ 
then  residing  at  Boston. 

Twenty-three  of  the  prisoners,  taken  by  the 
enemy  at  Queenston.  were  sent  to  England,  to 
be  tried  as  British  subjects,  for  ap()earing  in 
arms  agaidst  their  king.  The  United  Slates' 
government  ordered  25  British  soldiers  into 
ch>se  eonftnement,  as  hostages  for  the  safety  of 
those  so  taken  at  Queenston.  In  r<etaliati»n» 
the  British  goveramert  ordered  46  United  State>t* 
officers  and  non-commissioned  officers  into  close 
and  rigbi'ous  confinement. 

The  system  of  retaliation,  after  this  circums- 
stance,  bore  a  ver.v  serious  aspect,  and  tLi*eaten«* 
^d  ta  l)e  ai  extensive  as  prisoners  on  either  side 
Xttre  numerous. 

The  veeretary  of  state  tmnsmitted  to  congress 


m 

m 

sal 

1^'- 

f«S 

mi-'i 

Iw 

W 

ll 

1 

•I.-- 

m 

P 

m 

1 

m 


■'MS. 


It   -.2 


il:' 


'•fir  !?'5  •''':*? 


J'  ^  ''i:'^ 


*H'      ■.vr(|_i;.i 


,     (•■.■'nj!', 


S14 


• 


HISTORY  OP  THE   WAR*^^*f 


on  the  16th  April,  1814,  a  verj  important  report 
on  the  subject  matter  which  Jed  to  the  practice 
of  retaliation,  in  which  it  is  stated,  that  the  Bri. 
tish  government,  among  other  pretexts  for  not 
discharging  citizens  of  the  United  Slates  im- 
pressed into  their  service,  alledged,  that  they 
were  natives  of  Prussia,  Sweden,  &c.  thus  evinc- 
ing, that  the  reoovery  of  their  own  native  sub^ 
jcets,  was  not  the  sole  motive  of  impressment. — 
The  secretary  further  reported,       ,^^  ..i»^.^,..»*M 

"  That  all  the  nations  of  Europe  naturaliae  foreign- 

<*  That  they  all  employ  in  their  service  the  subjiflfets 
of  each  other,  and  frequently  against  their  native 
countries,  even  when  not  regularly  naturalized  : 

*<  That  although  examples  may  be  found  of  the 
punishment  of  their  native  subjects  taken  iu  arms 
against  tbem,  the  examples  are  few,  and  have  either 
been  marked  by  peculiar  circumstances  taken  them 
out  of  the  controverted  principle,  or  have  proceeded 
from  the  passions  or  policy  of  the  oc9asion.  Even 
in  prosecutions  and  convictions  having  the  latter  or- 
igin, the  final  act  of  punishment  has,  with  little  ex- 
ception, been  prevented  by  a  sense  of  equity  and 
dread  of  retaliation.  It  is  confidently  believed  that 
no  instance  can  be  found  in  which  the  alledged  pur- 
poses of  the  enemy  against  the  23  prisoners  in  ques- 
tion, under  all  the  circumstances  which  belong  to 
their  case,  even  though  any  of  them  may  not  have 
been  regularly  naturalized,  are  countenanced  by  tb^ 
procedings  of  any  European  nation."  n^^ 

A  publication  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy,  appeared  from  the  navy  department  of  the 
United  States  the  28th  July,  1814r,  and  was  un- 
derstood to  be  a  reliocjuishment  of  the  system  6f 
retaliation,  on  the  part  of  England  and  of  th« 
United  States  ;  the  23  American  soldiers,  sent 
to  England^  and  all  other  Ajuerieans  held  by  the 


m-^ 


v.: 


RISTeUT  0»  TfllB  VfAJttf^ 


2ti 


enemy  as  hastages,  hivinj*  been  restored  to  the 
state  of  ordinary  prisoners. 

«A11  officers,  seamen,  and  marines  of  the  U.  StatesV 
Navy,  captured  by  the  troops  or  vessels  within  the 
oommand  of  Sir  George  Prevost,  prior  to  the  15th 
day  of  April  last,  have  been  duly  exchanged,  and  de* 
clared  competent  to  serve  against  the  enemy.  They 
will  therefore  immediately  report  themselves  to  the 
commanding  naval  officer  of  the  station  on  which  they 
are  or  may  arrive." 

The  time,  when  Ihe  armies  must  be  In  winter 
quarters*  and  tlie  officers  less  engaged  than  they 
would  be  at  another  season,  was  chosen  for  the 
trial  of  Gen.  Hull.  A  general  court  martial  as- 
sembled for  that  purpose  at  Albany,  the  5tli 
January,  I8l4«  and  proceeded  in  the  trial,  from 
time  to  time,  until  the  8th  March. 

Three  charges  were  presented  against  him» 
to  wit,  treason  a^:;ainst  the  United  States;  cow- 
ardice; and  neglect  of  duty  and  unojfficer-like 
§onduct — to  all  \i  hicb*  he  pleaded  not  guilty. 

The  general,  having  protested  against  the 
eompeteney  of  the  court  to  try  the  first  charge^ 
the  court  declined  making  any  formal  decision  on 
it;  but  yet  gave  an  opinion  that  nothing  appear- 
ed to  them  which  could  justify  the  charge. 

l^e  court  r^f|Mitled  him  of  that  part  of  the 
thfid  specification  which  charges  him  with  hav- 
in<;  <^  forbidden  the  American  ai'tillery  to  fire  on 
thi)  enemy,  on  their  march  lowai-ds  the  said  Fort 
Detroit,"  and  found  him  guilty  of  the  first)  se- 
oond  part  of  the  third,  and  the  fourth  specifica- 
tions. 

On  th«  the  third  charge,  the  eourt  found  the  ae- 
fused  guilty  of  neglect  of  duty,  in  omitting  sea- 
sonably to  inHii>ect,  train,  exercise,  and  order  the 
treopfi  under  his  oommaud,  or  cause  the  same  to  be 


'(]■ 


'    /.K-i  '■'  ■ 


ii?  .;■;;: 


;>.•'!'!'. "'I 


'0// 


111 


^i« 


JIUTOBT  OV  TBK.  WA1U 


done.  Tb«y  also  found  biei guilty  of  part  of  the 
fuuiih  and  fifth  specifications,  and  the  whole  of 
,the  sixth  andiievcntb  ;  and  aci^uitted  bini  of  the 
second  and  (bird,  and  part  of  the  fourth  and  fifth 
flpecificationa. 

The  court  sentenced  «•  the  said  firigadier-GFen* 
era!  Uilliam  Hull  to  be  hhot  to  death,  two  thirds 
of  tlie  eouH  coneurriiig  in  the  sentence  ;  but*  m 
consideration  of  his  revolutionary  services,  and 
bis  advanced  age,  recommended  him  to  the  mer- 
cy of  the  President  of  the  United  States." 
.^  The  President  of  the  I  iiited  States  approved 
the  sentence,  remitted  the  exHcutiim*  and  order- 
ed the  name  of  Gen.  Hull  to  be  erased  from  the 
list  of  the  army. 

Tli«  general,  in  an  address  to  the  people  of  the 
United  Slates,  appealed  to  their  decision  agaiust 
the  verdict  ami  sentence  of  the  court,  declaring 
himself  innocent,  not witkstaudii^  the  verdict, 
and  charging  ibe  g«ivernment  with  persecution 
and  iujustic^  to  himself 

A  circuthstance  of  great  interest,  and  which 
might  have  a  great  effect  on  the  war  between 
Great-Britain  and  the  United  States,  occurred 
in  March,  1814.  On  the  3tst  of  that  month,  the 
allied  armies  of  Austria,  Prussia,  and  Russia, 
headed  by  their  resfiective  sovereigns,  triumph- 
antly entered  the  French  capital,  oveHhrew  the 
Bonapartean  d,vnaf^ty.  sent  its  chief  into  exile, 
and  replaced  liouis  XYIII.  on  the  throne  of  bis 
ancestors. 

Hitherto  the  power  of  England  was  divided 
between  making  war  on  Prance  and  the  United 
States  of  America  ;  it  was  to  be  now  entirely 
turned  against  the  latter,  at  least  so  the  B)i*isli 
editors  tbreat<^ned.  Indeed  America  would  cer- 
tainly be  punished^  overthrown^  re-iut^ugaled^ 


'*% 


\B^ 


MSTCteir  C^  ^HB  WAV. 


^t 


'iM  enikved,  if  the  editor'^  lead  eoiifd  be  fornix 
ed  into  bulls,  instead  of  types,  and  these  pressed 
into  cannon,  instead  of  being  pressed  on  paper.  .. 
The  new  situation  of  ftflTairs  in  Europe,  ere- 
cted muoh  alarm,  but  no  despondency  in  Aineri- 
ea.  The  oitizens  saw  the  approach  of  a  terrible 
eonfliet,  lint  they  resolved  to  meet  it.  The  le- 
gions whioh  gained  the  character  of  «  invinci- 
bie,"  in  Spain,  Portugal,  and  France,  were  to  be 
tomiied  on  the  shores  of  4merioa  ;  the  thousand 
ships  of  Britain  were  to  blockade  the  coast ;  Bri- 
tish tars,  without  number,  were  to  cover  the 
lakes  ;  and  these  myriads,  by  sea  and  by  l»ndy 
Were  to  be  directed,  by  these  commanders  who 
swept  the  European  navies  from  the  ocean,  and 
^ut- rivaled  the  best  generals  of  the  first  warrior 
in  the  world.  Yet,  notwithstanding  these  extei*- 
minating  threats  aVid  gloomy  prtispects,  Ameri- 
ca i^as  destined  to  preserve  her  independence  ah^ 
honour ;  and  to  gather  more  laurels  in  I814f 
than  slie  did  in  any  former  year  of  this  War.  * 
In  accordance  with  the  views*  of  the  war  de- 
partihent,  and  a  design*  the  result  of  a  corres- 
pondenee  between  the  Secretary  of  War  and 
Gen.  Wilkinson,  the  latter  entered  Canada,  oh 
••• ••••••«••••••••••••••••••••*•••••«•»•••••  «•«•*•••••••••••••••••••••.•,* 

^^  General  Wilkinson's  words,  in  his  official  state- 
hient,  were,  <'  Pursuant  to  the  designs  communicated 
to  you  in  my  last,  and  to  accoaipUsh  your  views." 
Immediately  after  the  publication  of  the  general's 
letter,  the  following  comment  appeared  in  the  Na- 
tional Intelligencer :  <'  We  are  authorised  to  state, 
that  Gen.  Wilkinson*s  late  movement  was  not  pur- 
tuant  to  the  vitwa  of  the  war  department.  l*hese 
vievfa  (or  orders)  advised  him  to  seize  and  hold  a  giv- 
en position  on  Lake  Ciianiplain,  and  admoniahed  liiia. 
^against  an  tncuisiou  into  Cauiida^'* 


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211 


BHTOBT  07  THB  WAH* 


iTie  morning  of  the  dOth  Mareh,  1814.  The 
issue  of  this  expedition  was  unfortunate,  although 
in  its  progress,  it  did  honour  to  the  Ainericans 
engaged.  The  enemy  claimed  a  vietor^i  only 
because  he  was  not  vanquished ;  and  pretended 
to  gather  laurels,  while  circumstances  concurred 
to  render  it  nearly  impossible  to  attack  or  drive 
him  from  his  cowardly  strong- holds. 

General  Wilkinson,  at  the  head  of  his  division, 
marched  from  Ghamplain,  with  the  intention  of 
reducing  the  enemy's  fortress  at  the  river  La 
Cole.  About  11  oV'lock,  befell  in  with  the  ene- 
my at  Odell  Town,  three  miles  from  La  Cole, 
and  six  from  St.  John's.  An  attack  was  com- 
menced by  the  enemy  on  the  advance  of  the  army 
under  Col.  Clark  and  Major  Forsyth.  Col. 
Bisscl  came  up  with  spirit,  and  the  enemy  was 
forced  to  retire  with  loss.  General  V  ilkinson 
took  part  in  this  action,  and  bravely  advanced 
into  the  most  dangerous  position,  declining  fre- 
quently the  advice  of  his  officers,  to  retire  from 
imminent  danger.  The  enemy  having  used  his 
congreve  rockets,  without  producing  any  eifect, 
retired  to  La  Cole,  whither  he  was  pursued.  At 
this  place  an  action  was  expected  ;  but  the  ene- 
my, whose  force,  when  increased  by  a  reinforce- 
jnent  from  the  Isleau-Nojx,  amounted  to  at  least 
^,500  men,  mostly  regularsi  declined  meeting  the 
American  force,  although  much  inierior  in  num- 
bers and  means  of  warfare.  He  took  possession 
of  a  block-house  and  a  stone- mill,  the  wall  of 
/which  was  so  thick,  that  it  could  not  be  hi^^tered 
except  by  the  heaviest  artillery.  An  Is  pounder 
which  was  brought  from  Cbamplain, .  could  not 
be  drawn  over  the  bad  roads,  and  was  left  be- 
•bind;  a  battery  of  lighter  gun^  was  raised  within 
.300  yards  of  the  mill;  but  no  breach  was  praoli- 


I! 


HtSTORY  OV  TUB   WAB. 


2i9 


lor  in  Duin- 


cable  by  it.  Several  sorties  were  made  by  the 
enemy,  but  they  were  Resisted  witli  bravery  and 
success.  The  cannonade  was  continued  until  it 
was  fully  ascertained  that  no  breach  could  Ijt 
made  ;  and  that  the  enemy  would  not  cooie  to  an 
engagement,  when  the  Americans  withdrew  to 
Odell  Town,  and  afterwards  to  Champlain. 

Captain  M'Pherson,  of  the  light  artillery, 
^military  secretary  to  General  Wilkinson)  was,  at 
his  own  particular  request,  plaoed  in  command 
of  the  guns  which  formed  the  battery  ;  be  was 
aided  by  Lieutenants  Larrabee  and  Sheldon. — 
Captain  M<Phorson  soon  received  a  wound  under 
the  chin,  which  he  tied. up  with  his  handkei'cbief, 
and  continued  at  his  piece  until  a  second  shot, 
which  broke  his  thigh,  brought  him  to  the  earth. 
Larribee  had  kept  his  station  until  shot  through 
the  lungs  ;  and  Sheldon  kept  up  the  fire  until 
ordered  to  retire.  The  conduct  of  every  indi- 
vidual attached  to  the  American  command,  was 
marked  by  that  patriotism  and  prowess  whicU 
has  so  often  conquered  the  boasted  dieipline,  long 
experience,  and  military  tactics  of  an  enemy,  who 
dared  not  to  expose  his  •<  invincibles"  to  the 
disgrace  of  being  defeated  by  a  less  numerous 
force. of  Yankee  woodsmen. 

A  small  quantity  of  stores,  intended  for  the 
use  of  the  army  and  fleet  at  Saeket's  Harbour, 
were  deposited  at  Fort  Oswego  ;  and  a  consider- 
able quantity  at  the  falls,  10  miles  in  the  rear 
of  the  fort.  The  enemy  prepared  an  expedition 
to  Meize  both.  Lieut.  Col.  Mitchell,  of  the  ar-« 
tillery  arrived  at  Oswego  on  the  SOth  April,,. 
18  J  4),  for  the  protection  of  that  place,  whieh  he 
found  in  a  very  bad  state  of  defence.  Of  cannon, 
there  were  but  five  guns,  three  of  which  had  lost 
th«ir  trunnions.  What  could  be  done  in  the  way  ot 


m 

M> 

m 

p.. 


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11  i'-,    <.,„,--::"w 

I  i  i :,  .•i:;,,y«v 


jii 

.,1)41(3*^1 


# 


.42t 


■ISTOST  OF  TlUB   WAS. 


jpepair»  vas  effected  ;  new  platform-  Were  XM, 
Ihe  guD  carriages  put  in  MPder^  and  decayed  pick- 
ets replaced.  At  day-light,  on  the  morning  of 
1th  May»  a  British  naval  force  of  four  ships,  thre« 
Itrigs,  and  a  number  of  gun  and  other  boats 
were  discovered  at  about  seven  miles  from  the 
fort.  The  force,  at  the  fort,  consisted  of  290 
effectives.  These  ivere  too  few  for  the  purpose 
of  defence.  It  became  neocssury  to  disguise  thio- 
weaknessy  and  to  keep  the  entire  in  one  place : 
Tor  This  purpose  uie  tVT.^  ^^^i-e  pitched  on  one 
Aide  of  the  river,  and  the  men  Mere  all  orctcTT^ 
to  the  other.  At  one  o'cloik,  15  large  barges^ 
crowded  with  men,  moved  toward  the  side  op- 
posite that  on  which  the  tents  were  (litched,  and 
where  there  appeared  the  least  show  of  resis- 
tance. These  wei3  preceded  by  gun- boats,  to 
cover  the  landing.  As  soon  as  the  boats  go^ 
within  the  range  of  shot,  a  very  successful  tire 
was  opened  from  the  shore  battery,  which  com- 
pelled them  to  retire  twice,  when  they  stood  off* 
and  returned  to  their  ships.  Some  boats,  which 
liad  l>een  deserted,  were  taken  up  by  the  militia; 
one  of  the  boats  was  60  feet  long,  and  eould  ac- 
commodate 150  men. 

At  day  break  on  the  6th,  the  fleet  again  ap- 
proached the  fort.  The  IVolfe,  and  other  ves- 
sels, kept  up  a  fire  for  three  hours  against  the 
fort  and  batteries.  Col.  Mitcbill,  finding  that 
the  enemy  had  landed  about  2000  men,  withdrew 
bis  small  force  into  the  rear  of  the  fort  ;  and^ 
with  two  companies,  (Komayne  and  Mefvin's) 
met  their  advancing  columns,  while  the  other 
companies  engaged  the  flanks  of  the  enemy .-^ 
'With  the  aid  of  Lieut.  Pierce,  of  the  navy  and 
some  seameW  the  little  American  band  main- 
tained its  ground  for  half  an  hour.    Col.  Mitchell 


■■■£' 


IHSrOIlT  OF  THH  WAB. 


then  marohcd  bis  force,  but  not  preoipitafelj*  t 
tilt'  fiilU«  destroying  tbe  bridges  in  bis  rear.<-«i^ 
Ti«e  enein^r,  alrhougb  commaned  by  Geo.  Druin- 
luoiid  and  Com.  Yeo,  did  not  think  proper  to  pur- 
sue tbe  colonel.  The^^  burned  the  old  burraeks^ 
and  evacuated  the  fort  about  throe  o'clock  in  tho 
morning  of  the  7th.         rf«;/iir  »»«.£»/  * 

^The  American  loss  amounted  to  six  killed,  38 
lyounded.  and  25  missing — total  69.  Deserters 
from  the  enemy  stated  his  toss  to  be  70  killed^ 
16b  wounded,  drowned  and  missing — total  23$. 
£iglit  pieces  of  cannon,  and  some  stores,  worlU 
about  too  dollars,  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

On  no  occasion,  did   the   Americans  deserve 
better  of  their  country ;  at  no  time  before,  did 
the  enemy  buy   victory  with  less  advantage   to 
hiuisolf,  or  at  a  dearer  price.     The  companies^ 
uiKJer  com  maud  of  Col.  Mitchell,  consisted  of 
Boyle's,    Romayne's,    M'Intire's,  and   Pierce's* 
heavy  artillery,  and  a  few   seamen ;  in  all,  less 
than  aoo   men.     Twice   thev   repulsed,  and  for 
nearly    two  days    maintained   a   contest  against 
seven  times  their  number,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  preserving  the  stores  at   the  falls,  the  loss  of 
which  would  materially   impede  the  operations 
of  the  army  and  navy.    The  enemy   earned  off 
60  of  the  unarmed  inhabitants  ol  the  village*... 
who  were  stated  in  .the  British  reports  a»  so  ma*' 
ny  prisoners.  ,s 

On  the  30th  May,  Capt,  Woblsey,  of  the  navy, 
being  on  hi^  return  from  Oswego,  with  18  boats^. 
carrying  a  numbi^r  of  cannon,  and  a  quantity  of  * 
I'lggin^  f<>i*  the  UGW  vessolftiit  Saekett^s  Harbour^, 
put  into  Sandy  Creek,  aboul  16  miles  from  th^ 
Harbour.     Fearing  an  attack  from  the  enemy^: 
Major  Apliug  was  placed,  with  i^o  riflemen,  andii 
aJbw  Dif  ib^  Oneida  Indians^  in  the  froods«vm« 

9'h 


.''ill 


,'>! 


. ... -■.  '-^ 


H 


'b^6 


"K' 


:4=v 


«e 


niircfftT  ov  VHE  wab« 


eaeh  aide  of  the  creek;  a  few  raw  militia  wer^ 
sent  forward  to  malKe  a  show  of  resistanee.  The 
plan  Buooeeded ;  the  militiay  on  Che  first  fire  from 
the  enemy*  retreated  in  apparent  confusion*  and 
^ere  pursued  until  the  entire  passed  the  rifiemen 
and  Indians,  who  were  in  amhush.  The  enemj 
iras  attacked  in  rear^  while  a  battery  of  4  field 
pieces  opened  on  him  in  front.  The  contest  was 
not  of  long  duration.  After  ten  minutes  fighting* 
the  enemy  surrendered.  I'he  enemy  lost  2  post- 
eaptains*  4  lieutenants,  of  the  royal  navy,  prison- 
ers ;  2  lieutenants  of  marines*  wounded  ar^d  ;iri- 
•oners;  one  midshipman^  and  IB  sailors  find  ma- 
rines* killed ;  28  sailors  and  marines  wounded^ 
and  133  sailors  and  marines*  prisoners — total  18ft. 
ft  gun-boats  and  5  barges  were  taken.  Only  one 
American  was  wounded. 

On  the  15th  of  May*  the  enemy  landed  seyeral 
hundred  men  at  Pultneyville*  ( «vhich  is  on  the 
anargin  of  Lake  Ontario*)  and  took  possession  of 
100  barrels  damaged  flour*  which  were  in  a  store 
dose  by  the  lake..  Gen.  Swift*  on  hearing  of  the 
mdvance  of  the  enemy*  reached  PultneyyiTle  with 
•bout  130  volunteers  and  militia;  but,  deeming^ 
this  force  too  small  to  oppose  a  numerous  enemy, 
within  a  range  of  the  guns  of  his  fleet*  he  did  not 
dispute  the  possession  of  the  damaged  flour;  but 
^tiding  the  enemy  proeeeding  to  other  depreda* 
lions*  he  commenced  a  fire  on  him  from  an  adja- 
cent wood*  whieh  wounded  several  and  compelled 
liim  to  re-embark*  when  a  cannonade  commenced 
fi^om  the  fleet  on  the  town*  without  doing  mate- 
rial injury.  A  large  quantity  of  flour  was  depo- 
"sited  about  a  mile  from  the  town*  which  the  en- 
emy chose  to  forego  thcvplunder  of*  rather  thaik 
trust  himself  in  the  woods  with  Gen..  Swift  and 
Siis  riflemen..  ^ 


■ii 


r.^A^ 


mtTO«T  OV  THE  WAS. 


2«ft 


l»*'-i' 


4i 


In  this  month*  Col.  Camphell,  (i9(h  ififantry) 
trith  a  detach ineni  of  5  or  600  men.  and  some 
seamen  aetinii;  as  artillerists,  crossed  from  Erie 
to  Long-Point.  Aliout  dO  British  dragoons  sta- 
tioned there  as  an  out- post  and  guard  to  publio 
stores,  made  their  escape.  The  mills  employed 
in  manufacturing  flour  for  the  enemy*  and  some 
houses  oceupied  as  stores,  were  burned ;  when 
the  part^r  returneil,  without  losing  a  man. 

The  following  transaction  with  the  enemy^s 
fleet  on  Lake  Champlain*  will  be  best  explained 
by  giving  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Major- Qeneral  Izard  commanding  the  first,  or 
divison  of  the  right*  dated  at  his  head-quarters^ 
May  17. 

«  On  receiving  notice  of  the  enemy's  proceeding 
up  the  Uke  on  the  1 3th  inst.  a  detachment  of  light 
artillery,  under  the  command  of  Capt  Thornton,  o£ 
that  corps,  was  desp«ttched  in  waggons  from  Burling- 
ton to  Vergennes,  where  they  manned  the  battery  at 
the  mouth  of  Otter  Creek.  At  day-break,  (on  the 
14th)  the  enemy  attacked  with  his  whole  force*  and 
after  a  severe  cannonade  of  two  hours  and  a  halfy. 
dm*ing  which  they  suffered  very  considerably*  they 
withdrew  to  repair  dama|g;es.  Yesterdny  they  de« 
parted  this,  place,  having  some  of  their  vessels  in 
tow,  and  are  gone  to  their  own  ports.  Two  of  their 
galleys  are  said  to  be  missing.  No  damage  was  done 
onoucside,  excepting  dismou 'ting  one  gun  in  the 
battery,  by  which  two  men  were  slightly  wounded.'^ 

The  Cheaspeake  Bay  was  likely*  and  pr'0ved» 
to  continue  a  theatre  of  the  enemy's  depreda« 
lious.  \  number  of  boats*  carrying  heavy  me* 
tal,  were  const  rucied  in  March*  1814,  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  for  the  protection  of' 
tihfi  bay^  and  the  command,  of  thorn  gjiven  to  that. 


^^i 


-v; 


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u 


*., 


n 


^. 


1  ,V''i.'',"^ 

11, J  ",,,,g/riM«; 

,:rMi;';;'>af 


<^> . .. 


M 


BISTOBT  OV  THE  WAR. 


fntrephl  officer,  Coiniiiod(»re  Barney.  TbU  flo- 
tilla piovcd  a  gieul  uiiiio^ance  to  (he  eiicin^f 
vasan  ol)j«'r.t  oi*  hit)  con^faiil  attcntiou*  uiitl  Has 
iiiially  (lvs(i'uycd»  as  >iil)lm  kereaUcr  parlicuiaf- 
Iy  dcUiU'd. 

'VXv  enrniy  had  a  HkirmiMh  on  (he  29(b  May, 
nvith  (lie  \ocoiiiaeii  iiiiliiia,  which  r(-fl<'o(ed  ihe 
kighi'iil  honuiii'  on  (lit*  hitter.  Between  6  a.  d  7 
o'clock  in  the  morning*  the  enemy  entered  ihe> 
Paii^goteaque  creek.  They  were  at  lirHt  must 
gallantly  met  hy  ^d  Lient.  LnderhilK  of  the  ar- 
tillery, and  6  or  7  men.  who  blood  the  (ire  of 
thi*'tr  t8  pounders,  grape,  musketry  and  eongreie 
roekets,  then  within  60  j^ards,  when  Lieut.  Un- 
dtrhili,  finding  all  further  renistance  utterij 
UiiHiess,  and  not  having  a  Huf!icien(  force,  to  re- 
move (he  artillery,  caused  i(  (o  be  spiked,  and 
retreated.  The  piece  fell  into  the  hands  of  th& 
enemy,  who  also  destroyed  some  trifling  build- 
ings, which  had  been  occupied  as  barracks.— 
Finding  no  resistance  froifi  the  poin(  which 
Lieut.  Underbill  had  occupied,  they  commeni'ed 
their  landing,  aid  in  a  few  minutes  had  from  4.^0 
To  dOO  men,  ^00  of  whom  were  negroes,  all  well 
tirmed,  formed,  and  advani'ing  from  the  shore » 
the  negroes  in  front.  From  the  place  of  (heir 
landing,  they  marched  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  into  the  country,  where  (bey  were  me(  by  a 
par(y  of  militia,  not  more  than  25  in  number,-— 
I'his  little  band  stood  for  (wo  hours,  the  whole 
force  of  nhe  entniy.  KX  this  time  the  militia  be- 
gan to  collect,  which  the  enemy  perceiving,  re^ 
treated  to  his  ships,  and  thus  escape<l  being  ei- 
ther killed  or  taken  prisoners.  During  (heir 
stay  on  land,  the  enemy  committed  several  pe((y 
robberies  and  shameful  excesses^  carrying  .^^^jt 

^ODf  poultry,  elotkiw,  &p,i.. 


■ItTOKT  01  THB  Win. 


Mr 


Gommodore  Barney  j;ot  under  way  on  the  Isl 
June,  with  hU  tlotilltty  in  the  Patuxent*  with  the 
intention  to  engHge»  or  chaite  away  the  enemy* 
On  approaching  (hem»  he  discovered  two  schoon- 
•rs,  one  a  full  rigged,  showing  nine  portH  on  a 
side.  When  off  St.  Jerome's,  he  discovered  » 
large  ship  under  way,  and  that  she  had  despatch- 
ed a  number  of  boat}  to  the  aid  of  the  schooners. 
The  wind  having  veered  so  as  to  prove  unfavour- 
able to  the  flotilla,  the  commodore  made  signal 
fur  the  Patuxent,  and  was  followed  by  a  74,  three 
schooners,  and  seven  barges.  After  doubling 
round  Cedar- Point,  in  the  mouth  of  the  river,  he 
found  that  gun  boat  KO:  ^57,  was  so  far  astern» 
that  she  must  be  taken,  or  saved  by  an  engage- 
ment. The  oemnio<lore  brought  the  Scorpion 
and  gun-boat  No.  138,  to  anchor,  sent  men  03 
board  the  boat  1 37,  to  row  and  tow  her  in,  and 
signaled  his  other  vessels  to  return  and  join  him* 
The  Scorpion,  and  boat  13&,  opened  a  Are  on  a 
large  schooner,  and  a  number  of  barges  which 
had  got  ahead  of  the  boat  137,  l^he  commo« 
dore's  barges,  at  this  time,  had  returned,  and* 
rowing  down  on  the  enemy,  gave  tht  m  a  number 
of  shots,  and  then  returned  into  port  with  all  the 
flotilla.  This  bold  exploit  did  great  honour  ta 
Barney  and  his  erews. 

The  enemy  landed  at  Cedar-  Point,  in  the  even- 
ing of  the  4th  June,  and  carried  off  several  ;ie- 
groes,  and  considerable  stock  from  the  planta- 
tion of  Mr.  Sewal. 

The  enemy's  squadron,  besng  reinforced  by  a 
razee  and  sloop  of  war,  the  commodore  moved 
his  flotilla  up  to  the  mouth  of  St.  Ltonard's 
creek.  At  flve,  p.  m.  the  8th  June,  he  perceived 
a  ship,  a  brig,  two  schooners  and  15  barges,  com- 
ing up  the  Patuxent,  whereoa  the  couimodar^ 


U- 


b: 


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y'/y 


Vli    -  ■  ■'  ■'■-      ■  ' 


1    "^';!^^ 


* 


226 


■'-  WK: 


laiSTORT   OV  THE  YtAUi 


moved  his  flutilla  about  two  miles  up  the  creek, 
and  there  moored  them  in  line  abreast,  across 
the  channel,  and  prepared  for  action.  At  eight 
A.  M.  the  enemy's  barges  came  up  the  creek,  the 
ship,  h.e.  were  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the 
«i*cck  ;  a  rocket  barge  was  advanced  on  the  flo- 
tilhi.  At  this  time  the  commodore  got  his  bar- 
ges (IS  in  number)  under  wa^y,  leaving  the  Scor- 
pion and  gun-boats  at  anchor,  and  rowed  down 
upon  the  enemy,  when  ''ley  precipitately  sailed 
and  rowed  off,  with^all  their  means.  The  com- 
modore pursued  (hem,  until  near  their  skipping^ 
when  his  barges  were  brought  back  to  thei» 
moorings.  In  the  afliunuon  the  enemy  eamc  up 
the  ciTck  again,  threw  some  rockets,  and  were 
again  pursued,  acd  driven  out  of  the  creek  by 
the  flotilla. 

.^  The  situation  e^  Commodore  Barney,  and  hit 
lloUlla,  in  St.  Leonard's  creek,  was  really  un- 
pleasant and  critical.  He  was,  however,  reliev- 
ed, by  a  bold  {* . «  successful  attack  on  the  enemy 
on  (be  niornin^  of  the  26th  June. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  Commodore  Bar^r 
ney's  report,  (o  the  Secretary  of  the  navy  : 

iJSir — This  morning  at  4,  A.  M.  a  combtned  at- 
tack of  the  artillery,  marine  corps  and  ikjtilla,  was 
made  upon  the  enemy's  two  frigates  at  the  mouth  of 
the  creek.  After  two  hours  engagement,  they  got 
under  way  and  made  sail  flown  the  river.  They  ave 
now  warping  round  Point  Patience,  and  I  am  moving 
up  the  Pdtuxent  with  my  flotilla.  My  loss  is  acting 
mif'shipman  Asquith,  killed,  and  ten  others,  killeci 
and  wounded.     With  respect,  &c. 

JOSHUA.  BARNEY." 

Tn  June,  the  enemy  landed  about  4(j0  men,  and 
burned  the  tobacco  warehouses*  at  Lower  Marl- 
|iorou|;li|  god  Magrudcr's  &irff  imd  iJso  Cvl«> 


BISTORT  07    THE  WAB. 


^27 


ivareliouse.  It  is  impossihley  Id  our  present 
liinitt),  to  detail  everj^  pett^y  and  wanton  aet  of  ah 
unprincipled  and  mean  enemy  ;  w'liere  he  could 
remove  the  plundered  property,  he  removed  it  ; 
ivbiit  he  could  not  remove  he  destroyed,  la 
Culvert^  near  Lower  Mailboruugh,  they  forced 
away  with  them  souiie  negroes ;  also  took  some 
«attle  and  poultry. 

A  person  who  rept-iired  to  the  scene  of  depre- 
dation* after  the  en4imy  had  retired,  wrote  to  his 
friend  in  Baltimore,  **  It  would  have  di.stres<»ed 
you  to  see  the  tobacco  at  Mugruder*s,  hurningy 
as  I  did,  this  evening.  Eleven  hundred  ho^s- 
hendst  nearly  all  consumed,  and  ahout^our  hun- 
dred at  Lower  Marlborough,  where  they  took  a 
schooner  (Capt.  David's)  and  loaded  her." 

The  enemy  performed  one  exploit,  which,  if 
not  tarnished  by  the  barbarous  use  he  made  of 
conquest,  would  have  left  him  one  instance  of 
victory  not  pf tty. 

The  enemy  appeared  in  great  force  in  the 
Chesapeake,  about  the  middle  of  August,  I814i 
More  than  50  of  his  vessels  entered  the  Patux- 
ent,  and  landed  about  5009  troops  and  marines^ 
chiefly  about  llemedict.  40  miles  southeast  of  the 
city  of  Washington.  The  force,  at  the  disposi* 
tion  of  Gen.  VViinder,  who  had  been  appointed  to 
the  command  of  this  district,  was  unfortunately 
inadequate  to  defend  the  city « and  it  fell  into  the 
power  of  the  enemy.  The  entire  force  of  every 
description  which  could  be  collected  to  oppose 
the  enemy,  did  not  exceed  5000  men  ;  these, 
lioweVer,  would  have  been  sufficient  for  the  pur- 
pose, had  they  all  acted  with  equal  firmness^; 
Of  these  several  hundreds  arrived  after  the  bat- 
tle commenced,  and  many  after  the  retreat  had 
lieen  ordered.  The  force  sietually  engaged^  was 
less  than  200C^         •  I- 


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^28 


VnTORT  OT  TAB  VAl.' 


On  <he  20th,  Col.  Munroe,  who  prooeedefl  th« 
previous  day,  with  Coloael  Thornton's  troop  of 
Lorse,  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy,  reported  that 
the  enemy  had  landed  in  furee.  Capts.  Caldwell 
and  nighmans,  with  their  commands  of  ca\alryy 
IHrere  sent  in  the  afternoon  of  thiti  day  to  annoy 
the  enemy  in  advanee,  and  remove  such  sup- 
plies of  provisions  as  Jay  in  his  route.  On  the 
22d,  the  British  flankers  approached  the  wood' 
yard^  12  miles  from  the  city,  where  Gen.  M  it  der, 
with  his  main  hody,  was  posted. — llie  line  of 
Ibattle  was  formed  hy  theAmeriiaii  troops,  hut 
the  enemy  tiled  off  to  the  left.  At  nine  o*elocky 
Commodore  Barney  caused  his  flotilla  to  he  de- 
stroyed, and  he  proceeded  with  his  men  to  take 
post  in  fVont  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2.id,  General  Winder*! 
head  quarters  were  at  Battalion  Fields*  within 
eight  miles  of  the  <  ily,  and  a  short  distance  from 
Bladensburg.  At  one  o'clock  on  tlie  !24th,  the 
lirmy  was  posted  on  the  right  of  Biadenshurg, 
ahout  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  village.  The 
artillery,  from  Baltimore,  supported  by  Major 
Fiuckney's  rifle  battalion,  and  a  part  of  Captain 
Dough ty*s,  from  the  navy  yard,  were  in  advance* 
to  command  the  pass  of  the  bridge  at  Bladens- 
burg. ^oon  after  one  o'clock,  the  enemy  appear- 
ed, advancing  toward  the  bridge  over  the  east- 
ern branch.  When  they  reached  the  bridge* 
which  they  did  in  solid  column,  the  artillery 
Ojiened  a  warm  fire  on  them,  and  the  riflemen, 
and  a  regiment  of  militia,  were  soon  engaged. 
Before  tw<»  o'clock,  the  enemy  advanced  so  close 
on  the  Baltimore  volunteers,  so  as  to  force  them 
to  retreat,  bringing  with  them  their  artillery 
and  arms,  except  one  piece*  which  was  lost  by 
the  uBrulinesB  of  the  horses.    The  retreat  wai 


V' 


*%H 


VIIMPOKT  09  f^HE  was; 


ttw 


%9t  the  effbot  of  cowardice,  for  no  men  could 
behave  with  more  honour  to  themselves.  Wfail* 
they  fouj^hty  they  made  a  galling  impression  o« 
the  enemy*  and  when  forced  to  yield  before 
numbers  vastly  superior,  they  would,  no  doubtp 
have  yet  fiought  a  place  from  which  to  triumph 
in  a  eonte»t  so  handsomely  began,  but  they  were 
not  properly  supporied.  The  right  and  centre 
of  Stansbiiry's  brigade,  consisting  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Hagan  and  Shuler's  regiments,  geiie«> 
rally  gave  way,  and  fled  in  disorder,  nor  could 
they  be  rallfed,  with  the  exception  of  about  0 
men,  and  a  part  of  Captain  Shower*8  company^ 
bothofv/bom*  even  thus  deserted,  made  a  gaU 
lant  but  ineffectual  stand.  €ol.^Ragan,  in  bit 
great  efibrts  to  rally  his  men,  was  wounded 
and  takien  prisoner.  The  5th  Baltimore  regi- 
ments under  Ueut.  Col.  Sterrett,  being  tbe  left 
of  Gen.  Stansbury's  brigade,  still  stood  their 
ground,  and,  e.^^pt  for  a  moment,  when  part  of 
them  reeoiled  a  few  steps,  remained  firm  until, 
opdered  to  retreat. 

The  reserve,  umTer  General   Sinith,   oft 
Distriiot  of  CoUirtibia,  with  the  militia,  of  thi^  J 
city  and  Georgetown,'with  the  regulars,  and  some^ 
detaohments  of  Maryland    nlititia,  flanked  oi|| 
their  right  by  Com.   Barney  and  his  men,  and 
Col.  Vleai,  maintained  the  contest ^with  great  ef..^ 
fect4   nntil   Overjioweredl   by  nurnl|ers.     I)arnex 
and  his  gallant  m<^n  had  just  gaineld  the  grounC 
from  a  station  near  the  navy  yar^^  ^d  (»pene|^ 
ff'Omii  three  18  pouriders  a  fire,  Mfhiish   i6r  the^ 
time  it  lasted,  and  considering  tW  ioeans,  waf^ 
pH-haps  the   most    destructive  an^  active  thajt^ 
has  ever  been  experienced.     The  brave   Barney 
fell   severely  wounded,  into  the  hands  of  th^ 
efidimy.    lUs  men  ^ught,  ui^er  bta  ofdiBi's»  im^ 


m^i 


Pi 


is*-- 


-^ 


HXSTOBT  OV  THE  WAB. 


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ill  the  enemy  reached  nearly  to  the  muzzle  of 
the  guns ;  nor  did  they  retire  until  ordered  to  do 
8O9  after  every  hope  of  victory  vanished.  The 
enemy  treated  the  Commodore  with  that  courte- 
sy and  attention,  which  his  splended  merit  could 
not  fail  to  inspire. 

The  battle  being  now  over»  after  continuing 
more  than  an  hour.  Gen.  Ross  who  commanded 
the  land  force*  and  Admiral  Cockburn,  who  com- 
manded the  seamen  and  marines^  entered  the 
oity  with  a  part  of  their  forces.  And  now  be- 
gan a  scene,  whioh,  in  the  opinion  even  of  a  sa- 
vage, would  disgrace  the  characters  while  living, 
and«  after  death,  consign  to  eternal  infamy,  the 
names  of  these  two  commanders.  Never  will 
barbarism  and  the  fate  of  Washington  be  coupled 
in  history,  without  being  accompanied  by  the 
names  of  Ross  and  Cockbui  o.  The  destruction 
of  private  property  would  be  in  character  with 
the  oondict  which  disgraced  the  British  arms  in 
the  Chesapoake  and  elsewhere.  The  triumph- 
ant entry  of  the  marauders  into  the  capital  of 
^^  tin  infant  republic,  gave  them  an  opportunity 
of  pi  oving  the  respect  in  which  they  held  the 
arts,  sciences,  and  literature.  «  They,"  to  use 
the  words  of  President  Madison's  proclama- 
tion, «  wantonly  de8tro,ved  the  Public  ediliceS) 
having  no  relation  in  their  structure  to  ope- 
rations of  war,  nor  used  at  any  time  for  mili- 
tary annoyance;  some  of  these  edifices  being 
also  costly  monuments  of  taste  and.  of  the  arts, 
and  otbers,  depositories  of  the  public  arehieves, 
not  only  precious  to  the  nation,  as  the  memori- 
als of  its  origin,  and  its  early  transaotiona,  but 
interesting  to  all  nations,  as  contributions  to  the 
general  stock  of  historical  instnction  -and,  poli- 
jtioal  science."    Witb  the  public  buildings^  the 


'^  • '     -^ 


m 


•^■ 


BISTORT  07  THB   WAB. 


2ai 


Dlitional  library  was  destroyed.  Cockburn  at- 
tended, in  person*  to  the  destruetion  of  the  print- 
ing materials,  in  the  office  of  the  National  Intei- 
Jigeneer.  A  few  private  buildings  were  burned. 
The  navy-yard,  with  all  its  shipping  and  stores, 
including  a  new  frigate  and  sloop  of  war,  were 
desroyed,  previous  to  its  occupation  by  the  ene- 
my. The  British  army  retired  in  the  night  of 
the  25th,  in  prudent  hurry,  and  with  studied  si- 
lence, leaving  several  of  their  wounded  behind^ 
and  some  of  their  dead  unburied.  The  Ameri- 
ean  loss  was  stated  by  General  Winder,  to  be  be- 
tween 30  and  40  killed,  from  50  to  60  wounded, 
and  about  120  taken  prisoners.  <<  From  the  besjt 
inteiligenee,'' says  the  general,  « there  remains 
but  little  doubt,  that  the  enemy  lost,  at  least, 
400  killed  and  wounded,  and  of  these,  a  very  un- 
usual portion  killed."  m 

Fort  Warburton  having  been  deserted  by  the 
U.  S.  troops,  commanded  by  Captain  Dyxon, 
and  consequent];  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  the 
latter  advanced  towards  Alexandria,  the  civil 
authority  of  which,  submitted  to  the  most  dis-"* 
graceful  terms  of  capitulation,  by  which  the^city 
was  given  up  to  plunder.  The  enemy  carried  off 
14  vessels,  laden  with  flour,  tobacco,  cotton, 
groceries,  and  a  variety  of  goods,  taken  from 
the  private  stores. 

A  series  of  the  most  daring  exertions  were 
made  by  commodores  Rogers,  Porter  and  Per^ 
ry,  with  their  seamen,  and  some  of  the  Virginia 
militiat  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  with 
his  booty,  but  he  got  off,  with  some  loss,  taking 
the  plunder  with  him.  Terms,  similar  to  thoso 
accepted  Ify  Alexandria,  were  offered  to  George- 
town, which  the  latter  indignantly  rejected,  and 
tgcaped  being  plundered. 


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=i>  The  enemy  attempted  to  justify  bis  predatory 
warfare  in  the  Chesapeake,  and  elsewhere,  by 
professing,  that  be  acted  in  retaliation  of  exocs- 
^8,  said  by  him,  to  have  been  committed  by 
the  armies  of  the  United  States,  in  Canada^-^ 
!No(hin^,  however,  could  be  farther  from  truth. 
The  conduct  of  the  republican  armies  could,  by 
110  fair  construction,  justify  the  barbarities  of 
the  enemy,  and  it  is  well  known,  that  the  rob- 
beries and  destruction,  of  private  property  and 
buildings,  particularly  in  the  vicinity  of  tho 
Chesapeake,  and  its  tributary  streams,  had,  in 
many  instances,  preceded  those  said  to  have  beea 
e  )mmitted  by  the  Americans. 

The  enemy,  probably  emboldened  by  his  suc- 
cess at  Washington,  projected  a  decent  on,  and 
Df  course,  tlie  plundering  and  burning  of  the  city 
of  Baltimore.  'I'he  movements  of  the  enemy 
having  led  to  8u«pieion  of  bis  design,  General 
Samuel  Smith,  the  revolutionary  hero  and  de^ 
fender  of  Mud-Fort,  made  some  early  disposi- 
tions to  repel  an  invasion^  if  such  should  be  at^ 
'  tempted. 

Gen.  Striker  ivas  detached,  on  the  evening  of 
ibe  lith  September,  with  a  portion  of  his  bri- 
•gade,  on  the  North-point  road.  Major  RandaS, 
of  the  Baltimore  county  militia,  having' under 
his  command,  a  light  corps  of  riflemen,  and  mus- 
ketry, taken  from  General  Stansbury's  brigade, 
und  the  Pennsylvania  Tolunteers,  was  detached 
to  tho  mouth  of  Bear-creek,  with  orders  to  co- 
operate with  Gen.  Striker,  and  to  check  any 
landing  which  the  enemy  might  attempt  in  that 
4iuarter. 

On  Monday,  the  12th,  the  enemy  ianded  be- 
tween 8000  and  9000  men,  at  North-point,  14 
niles  from  Baltimore^  the  land  force  under  eom* 


*j 


't: 


HISTOBY   OF  TH£  WAS. 


'&»S 


mamlofGen.  Ross,  the  seamen  under  Atlmiral 
Coekburn.  (Sen.  Striker  had,  that  morning, 
taken  a  good  posit io:i  at  the  jiiiietion  of  the 
roads,  leading  from  Baltimore  to  the  North- 
point,  haviag  his  right  flanked  h^  the  Bcar-ci'ceky 
and  his  left  by  a  niarsii.  Here  he  waited  (he 
approach  of  (he  enemy,  having  sent  on  an  ad- 
vance corps,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  [iea(h» 
of  the  dih  regiment.  «<  I'his  advance,**  says 
Gfn.  Smith,  in  hi^report.  <•  met  the  enemy,  and 
after  some  skirmishin|^,  it  returned  to  the  line^ 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy  being  at  a  short 
diHiance  in  the  rear  of  their  advance.  Between 
2  and  3  o*cioek,  tlie  enemy's  whole  force  came 
up  and  cummeui'ed  (he  battle,  by  some  dischar- 
ges of  rockets,  which  were  succeeded  by  tho 
catmon  from  both  sides^  and  soon  after  the  ac- 
tion became  general  along  the  line^  (len.  Strik- 
er gallantly  maintained  his  ground  against  a 
g!'eat  <<uperioritv  of  numbf^rs,  during  the  space 
of  an  hour  a'ld  twenty  minutes,  when  the  regi- 
ment on  his  left  (the  .^ilst)  giving  way,  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  retiring  to  the  ground  in 
his  rean»  wh<Mv  he  hud  stationed  one  regiment 
as  a  reserve.  He  here  formed  his  brigade;  but 
the  enemy  not  thinking  it  advisable  to  pursue, 
he.  incompliance  with  arrangements,  fell  back 
and  took  post  on  the  left  of  my  entreoctimentSy 
and  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  them^" 

The  foHo wing  extracts,  from  Gen.  Smith's 
reiiort,  will  best  explain  the  further  movements 
of  the  resijeetive  armie*. 

**  About  the  time  Geni  Striker  had    taken   the 
ground  just  mentioned,  he  was  joined  by  BKe^.  Gen; 
'Winder  iSrha  hart  been  stationed  on  the  west  side  of 
th»^  city,  but  was  now  ordered  to  march  with  Genv- 
pou}?la8\  brigade  of  Virginia  militia,  and  the  U.  S;. 
«U'4igooQ8,  under  Capt.  Bird,  and  take  post  on  the  ivf^ 


.'M 


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^34 


BISTORT  OF  THB  WAB. 


of  General  Striker.  During  these  movements,  the 
brigades  of  Generals  Stansbury  and  Foreman,  the 
seamen  and  marines  under  Com.  Rodgers,  the  Penn^ 
sylvania  volunteers,  under  Cols.  Cobean  and  Find- 
ley,  the  Baltimore  artillery,  under  Col.  Harris,  and 
the  maritime  artillery  under  Captain  Stiles,  man- 
ned the  trenches  and  the  batteries— all  prepared  to 
receive  tfie  enemy.  We  remained  in  this  situation 
during  the  night. 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  enemy  appeared  in  froot  of 
my  entrenchments,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  on 
the  Philadelphia  road,  from  whence  he  had  a  full 
view  of  our  position.  He  manoeuvred  during  the 
morning  towards  our  left,  as  if  with  the  intention 
of  making  a  circuitous  march,  and  coming  down  on 
the  Harford  or  York  roads.  Generals  Winder  and 
Striker  were  ordered  to  adapt  their  movements  to 
those  of  the  enemy,  so  as  to  baffle  this  supposed  in- 
tention. They  executed  this  order  with  great  skilly 
and  judgment,  by  taking  an  advantageous  position, 
stretching  from  my  left  across  the  country,  when  the 
•enemy  was  likely  to  approach  the  quarter  he  seem- 
ed to  threaten.  This  movement  induced  the  en- 
emy to  concentrate  his  forces  ^'between  one  and  two 
o'clock,)  in  my  front,  pushing  his  advance  to  within 
a  mile  of  us,  driving  in  our  videttes,  and  showing  an 
mtention  of  attacking  us  thai  evening  I  immediate- 
ly drew  Gens.  Winder  and  Striker  nearer  to  the  left 
<of  my  entrenchments,  and  to  th«  right  of  the  enemy, 
ivith  the  intention  of  their  falhng  on  his  right  or 
rear^  should  he  attack  me  ;  or  if  he  declined  it,  of 
attacking  him  in  the  morning.  To  this  movement, 
and  to  the  strengtli  of  my  defence,  which  the  ernemy 
tiad  the  fairest  opportunity  of  observing,  I  am  in* 
tduced  to  attribute  hi&  retreat,  which  w«b  commenced, 
at  half-past  one  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning.  In 
this  he  was  so  favoured  by  the  extreme  dai^nes#^ 
mA  a  continued  rain,  that  we  did  not  discover  it  until 
day-light. 

"Ihavenow&ie  pleasure  of  calling  your  atten- 
tion to  th«  l^rfire  gommander  of  Fort  M^Henry/Majv 


mA 


0         • 


msTOftT  07  THB  WAB. 


23^ 


Armistead)  and  to  the  operations  confined  to  that 
quarter.  The  enemy  made  his  approach  by  water 
at  the  same  time  that  his  army  was  advancing  on 
the  land,  and  commenced  a  discharge  of  bombs  andl 
rockets  at  the  fort,  as  soon  as  he  got  within  range 
of  it.  The  situation  of  Major  Armistead  was  pecu« 
liarly  tryini^ — the  enemy,  having  taken  his  position 
such  a  distance*  as  to  render  offensive  operations  on  . 
the  part  of  the  fort  entirely  fruitless,  whilst  their 
bombs  and  rockets  were  every  moment  falling  in 
and  about  it — the  officers  and  men,  at  the  same  time 
entirely  exposed.  The  vessels,  however,  had  the 
temerity  to  approach  somewhat  nearer — they  were 
as  soon  compelled  to  withdraw.  During  the  night) 
whilst  the  enemy  on  land  was  retreating,  and  whilst 
the  bombardment  was  most  severe,  two  or  three 
rocket  vessels  and  barges  succeeded  in  getting  up 
the  Ferry  Branch,  but  they  were  soon  compelled  to 
retire,  by  the  forts  in  that  quarter,  commanded  by 
Lieut.  Newcomb,  of  the  navy,  and  Lieut.  Webster,  of 
the  fiotilla.  These  forts  also  destroyed  one  uf  the 
barges,  with  all  on  board.  The  barges  and  battery 
at  the  Lazaretto,  under  the  command  of  Lieut  Rutter, 
of  the  flotilla,  kopt  up  a  brisk,  and  it  is  believed,  a 
successful  fire,  during  the  hottest  period  of  the  bom* 
kardment." 

It  was  impossible  for  veterans,  or  the  most  exv 
perienoed  troops,  to  act  with  more  tirni  disci- 
pline, or  cool  courage,  than  the  citizens  of  Bal- 
timore, and  the  troops  engaged,  did,  on  this  oo» 
casiooy  with  the  exception  already  mentioned. 
A  {mcptiit  of  the  enemy  was  attempted,  without^ 
however,  doing  him  much  injury.  The  troops 
ivere  so  exhausted^  with  three  day^s  and  nlght^d 
fatigue,  that  they  could  do  little  more  than  pick 
up  a  few  stragglers.  A  line  of  defences  thrown 
up  by  the  Americans  from  Black  River  to  Hum-* 
phries*  Creek,  on  the  Patapsco,  were  used  b^  tbl^.* 
«itouiy  to  protect  lus  embarkatioii; 


I '-  '"3  ■ 


r*»'„ 


<■. 


\  •■:■ 


■^m.,.  ■' 


236 


niSTOHY  01P  THE   WAR. 


m 


1'  -IS 


As  ft  measure  necessary  to  the  taking  of  Bat- 
tiniure^  Admiral  Cookburn  sent,  what  lie  relied 
on  as  a  competent  force  io  take  Fort  M'H^nry, 
situ^*ted  on  a  point  of  laud  about  two  miles  from 
tbo  oitj.  The  enemy's  vessels  were  ranged  on 
the  i2th,  at  a  respeclahle,  distance,  in  front  of 
the  works.  At  an  early  hour,  on  the  l!2th,  six 
bomb,  and  some  rocket  vessels  commenced  the 
attack^  but  at  su'sh  a  distance  as  to  have  liUle 
effect.  A  vast  iiiany  very  heavy  bombs  and 
rockets  were  thrown  from  the  shipping,  and  an- 
swered pro  forma  from  the  fort,  the  Lazaretto, 
battery,  and  barges.  This  noisy  play  lasted  un- 
til near  3  p.  m.  when  the  enemy  dropped  nearer 
the  battery.  The  firing  now  became  more  fre- 
quent, and  soon  became  tremendous;  but  the.en- 
emy  finding  that  the  men  in  the  fort  could  hit  as 
well  as  fire,  soon  slipped  their  cables,  and  drew 
ofi*  to  their  former  distance,  from  which  they 
«oniinued  the  bombardment. 

Favoured  by  a  dark  night,  one  or  two  of  the 
enemy'ii  bomb  vessels,  and  several  barges,  with 
I'^OO  chosen  men,  passed  the  Fori  at  about  one 
o*clock  in  the  morning  of  the  lj<(h»  and  pro* 
ceeded  up  to  the  Fatupseo,  to  attack  the  town  in 
the  rear,  and  probably  with  a  view  to  effect  a 
landing.  From  their  new  station,  they  com- 
inenced  a  very  warm  throwing  of  bombs  and 
TO(5kets,  but  were  repaid  with  such  rigoiir  and 
eftt^ct,  that  the  screams  of  their  wounded  could 
be  beared  in  the  midst  of  a  roar  of  arti&9,  that 
Blade  the  houses  in  the  city  shake,  for  nearly 
an  hour  and  a  half.  About  three  o'clock  the  en- 
*my  retired;  much  cri|.pied,  to  his  former  re- 
spe^M fill  distance,  when  he  again  commenced  the 
-bonibardiiient,  and  continued  it  until  day-light^ 
^Vhtm  he  finally  withdrew.    The  entire  duratioR^ 


1 


HIBTOBT   OF  TUB   WAB.  ) 


SS7 


•f  the  bombardment  was  little  short  of  24  bouri. 
The  loss  of  the  enem^,  on  hoard  his  vessels,  can- 
not  be  ascertained,  hutVas  undoubtedly  great  ; 
that  i«  Fort  M*Ilenry  was  aHtoninhiiigly  smaiU 
eonsisting  of  four  killed,  and  about  20  wounded. 
Major  Armistead  commanded  the  fort.  A  parly 
of  Com.  Kodger's  orew  was  |)Oitted  at  Fort  Cov- 
ington ;  Burne^^'s  flotilla  men  were  stationed  at 
the  citj'  battery. 

The  enemy's  retreat  was  attended  with  mop- 
tification  and  disappointment.  Gen.  Uoss,  the 
destroyer  of  Washington,  was  killed  ;  and,  at 
least  800  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  missiniii;.-'- 
The  entire  American  loss  did  not  exceed  20  kill- 
ed, 90  wounded,  and  47  missing. 

The  enemy  was  at  Chaptioo  in  October.  The 
following  nartieulars  of  the  exeesses  committed 
at  that  plaee  appeared  in  the  Alexandria  Uer» 
M,  signed  Robert  Wright. 

«  T  passed  through  Chaptico  shortly  after  the  ene- 
my left  it,  and  T  am  sorry  to  say,  that  their  conduct 
Would  have  disgraced  Cannibals  ;  the  houses  were 
torn  to  pieces,  the  well  which  aiforded  water  for  the 
inhabitants,  were  filled  up,  and,  what  is  still  worse, 
the  church,  and  the  ashes  of  the  dead,  shared  e- 
qually  bad  or  worse  fute.  Will  you  i)eMeve  me,  when 
I  tell  you  that  the  sunken  graves  were  converted 
into  barbacu*  holes  !  !  !  The  remaining  glass  of  the 
church  windows  broken,  the  communion  titble  used 
as  a  dinner  table^  and  then  broken  to  pieces  !  Bad 
as  the  above  may  appear,  it  dwindles  into  insignifi- 
cance, when  compared  with  what  follow-^  :  the  vauU 
was  entered,  and  the  remains  of  the  dead  disturbed. 
Yos,  my  friend,  the  winrling  sheet  was  torn  from 
the  body  of  a  1-sdy  r*"  the  first  re^ectability,  and  th^ 
whole  contents  of  the  vault  entirely  derange^  { !  ^*' 


.J*, 


338 


BIITORT  OF  THE   WAB, 


-....Mrt 


,*«■* 


)'Ui>: 


Soon  after  leaving  Cliaptioo»  the  enemy  visit'' 
•d  8t.  Inigoes,  in  St.  Mui'j's  county,  Maryland. 
Tliis  was  tlie  habitation  of  a  missionary,  and 
the  seite  of  a  Roman  Catholic  church.  Nothing 
could  be  expected  but  the  furniture  of  the  priest, 
and  plate  of  the  church.  Both  wore  taken, 
feather-beds,  sheets,  blankets,  curtains,  spoons, 
knives,  forks,  &o.  were  taken  away  or  destroy- 
ed ;  the  sacred  vestments  were  thrown  about, 
the  vessels,  consecrated  to  the  service  of  God, 
prophaned,  the  altar  stript  naked,  the  taber- 
nacle carried  off.  and  the  blessed  sacrament 
borne  away  in  the  hands  of  those  sacrilegious 
wretches.  Some  few  articles  were  restored  at 
the  instance  of  the  British  officer,  who  would 
probably  wish  to  see  the  entire  restored,  but 
lie  could  not  command  them  ;  <<  they  are,''  said 
he,  «  a  set  of  ruffians."  Some  other  articles, 
belonging  to  the  church,  were  restored  io  a  few 
days  afterwards. 

The.ftUowing  circumstance  proves  how  dear- 
ly the  enemy  gains  a  victory,  when  opposed  by  a 
force,  however  small. 

On  the  evening  of  the  5th  November,  Captain 
GordpiH  naval  comntander  at  Norfolk,  despatch- 
ed two  tenders,  and  four  boats,  off  Black  River, 
for  the  purpose  Af  conveying  several  crafts,  then 
lying  in  that  river,  and  bound  to  Norfolk.  The 
vessels,  were,  unfortunately,  separated  during 
the  night ;  the  boats,  owing  to  a  rough  fea,  re- 
turned to  Norfolk.  The  two  tenders,  t^tanklin 
and  Despatch,  were  separated  from  each  other. 

The  commander  of  the  Despatch,  finding,  io 
the  morning,  that  he  had  drifted  in  a  calm, 
ne»r  the  enemy's  ships  in  Lynnhaven,  and  that 
they  were  manning  their  boats,  to  attack  hfm, 
ipaOe  signal  to  the  Franklio^  and  the  boats  ly.r 


■i^t^\ 


bYptout  ot  toe  was. 


tui 


ing  under  Old  Point.  The  boats  joined  tlie 
Dc!4pateli  ;  and  llie  enem^^N  bouts  aCtei*  cx- 
ehunginf;  a  few  shots,  and  a  breeze  liaving  sprung 
up»  gave  over  the  chase,  and  directed  their  at- 
tention to  the  Franlclin  that  la^  nearly  becalmed 
up  the  bay.  Thcenemy  came  up  with  the  Frank- 
liny  about  10)  A.  M.  when  the  firing  eominenecd. 
During  one  hour  and  a  hair,  the  Franklin's 
crew,  eonsisring  of  Mr.  Ilammersley,  master's 
male,  who  oouinianded  ;  one  midshipman,  (Mr. 
Cook  ;)  two  master's  mater,  and  pilots,  and  31 
men,  maintained  a  gallant  defence  aguinst  a  ten-^. 
der  and  li>  barges  and  boats  ot  ihe  enemy.  The. 
tender  and  two  heavy  launches,  made  several 
attempts  to  board,  but  were  as  often  beaten  off. 
At  length,  at  half- past  11,  the  Franklin  was  car- 
ried, being  boarded  at  the  same  moment  by  th« 
crews  of  five  heavy  boats. 

The  peace  in  Fiurope  having  relieved  the 
shtps  and  seamen  of  England  from  any  other 
engagement,  except  the  war  against  the  United 
States,  it  was  supposed,  that  an  American  shipt 
would  not  4are  longer  to  venture  on  the  oeean^ 
or  sail  on  tliie  lakes.  Every  American  port  was 
to  b«  blockaded,  every  sea- port  town  to  be  burn- 
ed or  doliroyed  ;  the  frames  of  frigates  were  to 
be  transported  from  England,  and  suddenly  put 
together,  and  launched  on  the  lakes.  The  vio- 
lent threats  were  heard,  the  expected  legions 
looked  for,  with  a  eoolness,  on  the  part  of  the 
A merioans,  whiek  evinced  courage  ;  but  with  a 
preparation  that  evinced  a  determination  to  de- 
fend their  home«»  their  families,  their  country^ 
and  liberty,  \ 

Two  armed  launcbes  and  four  barges  of  the 
enemy  carrying  about  ^0  men,  entered  Connec- 


^ 


m 


% 


mi 


*-£i 


34t 


HlVrORT  OV  TBS  WlA. 


\ 


^^  ticut  river,  in  the  evening  of  the  7th  April,  and 
arrived  at  Pettipaug-  Point,  about  four  o*oiook  in 
the  morning  of  (he  8th.  It  wa^  quite  a  surprise 
on  the  few  inbabitantSf  who  had  no  means  of  re- 
sistance. The^  immediately  landed  and  burned 
.  all  the  vessels  at  tlie  wharves,  and  on  the  stoeks, 
#  except  a  brig,  a  schooner,  and  two  sloops,  wtui^h 
they  carried  down  the.  river,  on  their  retiring, 
after  10  oVIoek ;  but  the  wind  shifting,  they 
burned  all  except  tlie  schooner,,  and  not  being 
able  to  pniceed,  they  came  to  anchor  a  short 
1^  distance  below  Pettipaug,  where  they  lay  until 
night,  then  burned  tlie  schooner,  and  departed, 
without  interruption,  or  any  attempt  lo  annoy 
them,  except  that  a  few  guns  were  tired  on  them 
after  they  had  passed  the  mouth  of  the  river,  to 
livhichthey  returned  three  cheers,  and  passed  off* 

During  the  8th,  the  militia  collected  to  the 
number  of  about  1000,  with  six  field  pieces;  an 
officer,  with  150  sailors  and  soldiers,  from.  New*- 
London,  had  also  arrived.  Gen.  Williams,  under 
authority  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  assumed 
the  command.  Nothing  seemed  more  easy  than 
to  capture  the  enemy,  yet  no  attempt  was  made 
to  do  so,  unless  a  summons  to  surfen#r  ean  be 
80  considered.  Much  censure  was  then  attribu- 
ted to  the  general  for  his  dilatory  conduct,  and 
it  seems  not  to  have  lieen  hitherto  accounted  for. 
AI»out  25  vessels  were  destroyed^  many  of  them 
large  and  valuable. 

Com.  Elardy  of  the  Ramili^s  74>,  ad^ssecl  a 
letter  in  Alay,  to  the  British  agent  for  prisoners 
of  war  in  Boston,  staling  thai  be  had  arrived  in 
the  bay,  with  an  adequate  feree  to  carry  the 
blockade  into  effect,  and  requesting  him  to  make 
it  known  to  the  neutral  consuls  and  agents  in 
Ife^^  \mn  mi  state,  001  the  blockade  would  ht 


sb 


N^ 


=* 


i  April*  and 
ir  o*olook  ia 
e  a  8UL*|irise 
neans  of  re- 
find  burned 
[1  tho  stoeksy 
oop9«  whix^h 
eir  retiring, 
lifting,    they 
id   nut  being 
hor  a  sboi't 
liey  lay  until 
nd  departed, 
iipt  lo  annoy 
tired  on  t  beui 
'  the  river,  to 
nd  passed  off* 
leeted  to  tiie 
Id  pieces  f  an 
8,  from  New* 
illiams,  under 
cut,  assumed 
ore  easy  than 
ipt  was  made 
rendj^r  can  be 
th^attribu- 
conduet,  and 
lecouBted  for. 
lany  of  them 


■■  4i4iv 


addirpssed  a 

for  ppiHoners 

had  arrived  in 

to   earry   the 

i;  him  to  malce 

and  8K«*nts  in 

ade  would  bt 


^»-,  i'c#.u-.j-..i„««,.tir  Mi- 


BlitOtT  Ctl?  TRB  W11l# 


m. 


'rigorously  enforced,  agreeably  to  the  proclama-^ 
tion  for  the  same. 

The  following  copy  of  a  letter  from  Commo- 
dore Lewis,  commanding  the  United  States'  flo- 
tilla at  New- York,  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy^ 
dated  May  29, 1814,  will  show  that  the  Yankees 
determined  to  have  some  trade,  notwithstanding 
the  mighty  force  of  the  enemy  on  the  ocean. 

«  Sir<*«I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the 
19th  I  discovered  the  enemy  in  pursuit  of  a  brig  un- 
der Americans  colours,  «tanding  for  Sandy  hook.— >I 
ordered  a  detachment  of  1 1  gun-boats  to  proceed  to  * 
-seaf  and  pass  between  the  chase  and  the  enemy,  by 
which  means  to  bring  him  to  action,  and  give  oppor- 
tunity to  the  chase  to  escape,  ail  which  was  effected<; 
the  enemy,  after  receiving  my  fire,  bore  away— -and 
the  brig  in  question  entered  the  harbour,  proved  to  be 
the  brijj;  Re^rent  from  France,  with  a  very  valuable 
cargo.  And  on  Monday  -the  33d,  I  engaged  the  en- 
emy before  Nt>w-London,»  and  opened  a  passage  for 
40  sail  of  coasting  veHsels  ;  the  action  lasted  three 
hours,  in  whch  the  Hotilla  suffered  very  little  ;  No« 
6  received  a  shot  under  water,  and  others  through 
the  sails—we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  enemy 
suffered  very  great  injury,  as  he  appeared  Unwilling 
to  renew  the  action  the  following  morning ;  my  ob- 
ject was  accomplishedi  which  was  to  force  a  passage 
tor  the  convoy.  There  are  before  New-London  three 
seventy-four's,  four  frigates^  and  several  small  vessels, 
the  latter  doing  great  injury,  from  their  disguised 
character  and  superior  sailing.  I  have  the  honour  to 
fissure  you  of  my  high  respect, 

J.LEWIS." 

As  soon  as  the  engag;ement  ceased,  the  flotilla 
aame  to  anchor  before  irhe  harbour  of  New-Lon- 
don* within  guO'shot  of  the  enemy,  with  a  view 
of  renewing  the  action  in  the  morning,  when  w# 
foand  that  the  enemy  had  collected  ^U  his  for^ 


^^i 


% 


'■    1 


n'^i 


W' 


.# 


S*»^-     .1 


••»:S 


5»bf 


BISTORT  OV  THE  WlIU  '^ 


M. .. 


^ 


:  ♦     V. 


in  number  seven  ships  and  several  small  vesseli^ 
in  consequence  of  which  great  accession  of.  force 
the  project  of  renewing  the  action  was  abandon* 
«d,  and  signal  was  made  to  proceed  up  Sound, 
^rhither  the  enemy  pursued  as  far  as  Faulkner's 

Island* 

r  Capt.  Sawyer  of  the  smack  Resolution*  from 
Stonington,  informed,  that,  in  the  gun-boat  bat- 
tle, one  shot  passed  through  the  mainsail  of  the 
Sylph,  and  another  cut  away  her  ensign  ;  that 
one  shot  passed  through  the  bow  of  the  Maid- 
stone, <jne  through  her  foremast,  and  one  into 
ber  hull ;  and  that  on  the  day  after  the  engnge- 
ment,  a  number  of  men  from  these  vessels  were 
buried  on  Fisher's  Island. 

»    A    British  squadron,   consisting  of  a  74  gun 
ship*  sevei^al  frigates,  and  smaller  vessels,  with 
numerous  launches*  spread  terror  along  the  coast 
of  Massachusetts,  and  succeeded  iu  doing  consi- 
derable injury  to  coasting  vessels.     About  200 
men  landed,  on  the  I3th  May,  at  Wareham,  in 
Massachusetts,  and  burned  12  or  13  vessels,  va- 
lued at  about  20*000  dollars.    They  also  set  fire 
to  a  stocking  factory,  which  was  extinguished  by 
ibe  citizens,  before  mueh  injury  was  do|ie.. 
t    Capt.  Allen,  of  th«  scohoner  William  and  Johny 
of  Sedgwick,  Maine,  was  bound  to   Boston  with 
a  cargo  of  lumber.     Captain  A.  put  into  Dyers- 
«reek,  on   the   20th  May,   but  finding  himself 
ebased  by    the  barge  of  the  British  ichooner 
Bream,  he  hailed  the  barge*  when  she  reached 
ivithin  about  50  yards,  but  received  no  answer, 
Capt.  Allen   then   ordered  the  barge   to  **  heeft 
off:**    The  captain,  discovering  the  men  in  the 
INirge  about  to  fire  a  swivel  in  her  bow,  ordered 
llil  men  toUre.  and  take  good  aim.     Four  shots 
were  fired  la  auecession^  and  the  captain  bad  ta- 


HISTOUir  "^^  OT  T  HE  WlR. 


szia 


h. 

I,'.  \    k^ 


ken  his  aim*  whea  one  of  the  enemy  cried  out» 
«  PU  give  up  to  ifou  ;"  and  the  barge  was  in- 
stantly surrendered  to  Capt.  Allen.  Of  seven 
men  who^verein  the  harge»  two  were  killed^  and 
two  wounded. 

After  the  capture  of  the  barge,  the  British 
commodore  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  Capt.  Allen« 
with  propositions,  which  were  rejected.  After^ 
however,  the  exchange  of  four  flags,  it  was  a- 
greed,  that  in  consideration  of  Capt.  Allen's  giv- 
ing up  the  British  prisoners  on  parole,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Bream  was  to  give  Capt.  Alleir^ 
B90  in  cash,  return  two  American  prisoners  be«- 
longing  to  Goldsborough^  give  up  a  Chebacco 
boat,  with  the  property  on  board  of  her,  valued 
at  ^""00,  and  Captain  Allen  to  retain  the  twelve 
oai'^f.  '  dfge,  with  all  her  armament^  consisting 
of  o.  t'  v.ivel,  six  muskets,  five  cutlasses,  six  car- 
tridge-boxes, some  hlueUghtSfVi  compass,  one 
trumpet,  and  a  quantity  of  cannister  and  grape 
shot,  all  of  which  Capt.  Alien  values  at  jgSOO. 

Soon  after  this  transaction,  a  boat  captured 
by  the  Bream  schooner,  was  sent  into  Mount- 
Delert,  with  seven  Englishmen  on  board,  to  cut 
out  a  vessel,  the  crew  of  which,  on  their  ap- 
proach, Hed  to  the  shore,  and  were  joined  by 
several  of  the  inhabitants,  armed — ^having  con«> 
cealed  themselves  among  the  rocks  or  bushes  ; 
they  opened  a  fire  on  the  enemy,  killed  three  of 
them.  Wounded  two,  and  compelled  the  others  to 
surrender. 

'  The '  enemy  entered  the  harbour  of  <9cz£tiitfe9 
(Miiss.)  in  June,  in  consequence,  as  he  stated,  of 
having  bCen  flred  at  from  a  signal  pieee  of  oan^ 
Hon,  near  the  lig^t-house,  and  set  fire  to  seYeinl 
vessels*  r^ 


■v 


mi 


i' 


■»' 


av*^ 


M^ 


inSfHIRT  of  THE  WMU 


/Ivrt 


1^1 


Two  barges,  from  (be  Briiisb  ftij^te  Njmpb, 
went  into  Squam,  and  destroyed  the  schooner 
Biligc^nee,  laden  with  lime.  The  crews  threat- 
oned,  that  if  the  captain  attempted  to  extinguish 
tlie  flatnes  of  the  Diligence,  (hey  would  destroy 
the  house  on  the  point ;  whieh  being  attempteiiv 
they  fired  a  twelve  pound  shot  through  It,  and 
i^turned  and  effected  the  destruction  of  the 
schooner. 

On  the  11th  July,  Eastport  was  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  enemy,  in  the  name  of  Ms  Britan- 
■ic  majesty,  and,  as  afterwards  appeared,  wa» 
•laimed  88  being  part  of  the  Britisli,  territory, 
by  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  1783.  The  British 
ibree  consisted  of  2000  men.  The  Aiiierica;; 
garrison  of  59  meni.  ineluding  11  siek^  was  eom- 
Aianded  by  Major  Putman.  The  inhabitants 
were  offered  the  alternative  to  take  an  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  king,  or  to  depart  within  seven 
days.  A  great  portion,  perhaps  more  than 
two-tidrds,  took  the  oath.  This  phiee  remained 
hi  the  enemy's  possession  to  the  end  of  the  war  ; 
and,  as  will  appear  by  reference  to  the  treaty  of 
peace,  was  to  continue  in  possession  of  the  Bri- 
tish until  the  dispute  relative  to  territ^y  could 
be  settled  by  oommissioners,  to  be  appointed  for 
that  purpose. 

Eastport  is  on  an  island,  called  Moose,  on  the 
west  side  of  Pa^amaquoddy-bay  ;  the  island  is 
about  "five  miles  long,  and  one  mile  briid»  con- 
taining about  1000  inhabitants*    .  ^ 

On  the  9th  August,  at  five  p.  k .^the  l^amilies 
74,  Pactolus,  38,  a  bomb-ship,  and  a  heavy  bHg, 
arrived  off  S(onington  ;  and  a  flag  was  sent  on 
shore,  with  anote^  of  which  the  following  i^% 
«opy  ; 


_^  _.."»jjlf» 


HiaroKT  OV  TU£  WAB.  2^ 

1  To  the  Magistrates  of  Stoninffton,  -j 

^»  i^GentUmen — one  hour  is  jallowed  you,  from  the 
receipt  of  this  communicatio!),  for  the  removal  of  the 
unoffending  inhabitants.  ,|| 

^  THOMAS  HAROy.'* 

StvJBionington  was  in  no  state  of  defence  adequate 
to  resist  the  enenij^.     The  few  men  in  the  place 
hastened  to  collect  ammnnition^  some  ran  to  the 
battery^  which  consisted  of  two  18  pounders  and 
a  four  poiinder»  with' a  slight  breast  work  ;  ex- 
presses were  sent  to  New- London  and  other  pla- 
ces.^    At  8  o'clock^  the  attack  was  commene- 
e<]»  hy  a^scharge  of  shells*  from  the  bomb-ship> 
and  4^ongre?e  rockets  fiain  several  barges.    This 
fire  was  continued^ until  midnight,  without  injur^ 
log  a  tingle  building  or  inhabitant, 
c,  JDuring  the  night«  the  volunteers  and  militia 
bad   assembled  in  considerable    numbers,   and 
were  disposed  of  in  the  manner  best  calculated 
to  resist  any^  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  land.    At 
dawn  of  day,  the  enemy  began  to- throw  rockets 
from  vessels  which  had  taken  stations  on   the 
east  side  of  the  town,  out  of  range  of  the  batte- 
ty,    A^p  18  and  a  four  pounder  were  drawn  to  a 
point  of  land  from  whi^h  the  enemy  could  be 
reached,  and^  ia  a  few  minutes,  the  baizes  were 
compelled  to  move  ofi«    During  this  time,  the 
brig  worked  up  and  came  to  anchor  within  less 
than  hfMf  a  mile  of  the  battery.      The  am  muni* 
tionoD  shore,  being;  expended,  the  few  men,  who< 
w^i^^^t  the  battery^  vi^re  compelled  toretire>- 
having  first  spiked  tW  guns, 
c    For  an  hour  and  a  half,  the  enemy  continiied: 
to  fire  on  the  town^  without  the  least  opposition : 
being  attenipted  or  practicable.     A  fresh  stipgly 
of  ammunition  being,  by  this  thne,  obtain^  tlie^ 
iWAt  of  the  18  pouuder  was  drilled^  wbejtvasfii%; 


1"'  r-, 

r  tl  V    i  ■ 


jw.^  V  'y 


'U 


'■■\ 

'■    IT-, 


.':'/■. 


i".  i 


M 

T  1 

M 

4u 

'^m 

^ 

'■^a 

.•4 
:  2^ 

':?'i 

'** 

i«]|\jE 

I!  < 

i"^-^ 

■ '  « 

|1 

'^*^K3 

1'^ 

Ki.y, 

:©5 


Wl 


y  ■■■iiiitj' 


^6 


HItTORT  M  THS  1VAK. 


-:^' 


was  opeited  on  the  enemy^s  brig*  until  at  three 
o'clock  she  slipped  her  cable»  and  hauled  oft» 
being  evidently  much  injiired  in  her  hull  and 
spars.  •     ■■'*       „  ■  ■:.ii>*wm> 

i^  Soon  alter  this  time,  a  eonsiderable  body  of 
m'llitia  arrived,  and  Gen.  Isham  had  taken  the 
command.  ^4.^^  . 

A  flag  was  sent  from  the  inhabitants  (without 
the  concurrence  of  GelK  Isham)  to  tlie  British 
oflScer,  in^ming  him  that  the  ^«  unoffending  in- 
habitants'*  had  been  removed,  and  wishing  to 
know,  if  he  meant  to  complete  the  destruction  of 
the  town.  The  deputation  received  from  Capt* 
Hardy,  a  written  reply*  that  the  hombaniment 
should  cease,  in  case  the.  inliabitants  would  en* 
gage  that  no  torpedoes  should  be  fitted  outatStui^ 
Hington,  and  that  the  family  of  Mr.  Stewart,  late 
British  consul  at  New-London,  would  be  sent  oH 
board. 

These  terms  could  not  be  complied  within 
The  proposal  respecting  torpedoes  was^consider<' 
ed*  degrading,  nothing  of  the  kind  having  ever 
been  attempted  at  StoAingion  ;  the  second,  re- 
specting Mrs.  Stewart  and  children,  was  referred 
t9  the  proper  authority.  v  <> 

Theeneiiiy  Continued  to  negotiate,  for  the  par* 
pose  of  getting  Mrs.  Stewart  on  board,  until  tlirce 
o'doek  on  the  11th,  when  the  bombardment 
^gain  eomiAenoed,  and  was  continued  un^  night. 
On  Friday  morning  the  attack  was  con^i^ciiced 
and  coi^nlied  with  great  warmth,  from  nm^rly  all 
the  enemy^s  ships  and  lanndhes,  until  near  nooo» 
when  it^  ceased ;  and,  about  four  o'eloek,  p.  m* 
thetcnemy^  flnding  that  a  great  fofOe  were  as* 
sembledf  for  the '  protfction  of  the  towti,  finally^ 
withdrew  J  andr  ^n  l^turday  morning,  weighed 
aoehof#  and  jjmeeded  vp  Fisheip'a  Sowidi . 


-■*. 


ft-fii 


.'\ 


BISTORT  •]>  T9B.  VTAB. 


2ir 


>  During  the  several  uttaoks,  not  a  man  was 
killed^  and  but  ^ife  or  six  ^^-ounded.  Two  or 
IhreehoUset  Were  destroyed*  eight  or  teA  mnch 
damagedy  and  about  forty  partially  injured.-^ 
More  tban  300  shells  and  carcasses  were  thrown 
into  the  village.  ^^^rv^*^ 

The  aciditional  disr>n8abliE!<  military  and  naval 
force,  which  il  pt.  in  Europe  h^t  at  the 
command  of  the  enemy*  ^he  use  which  1  b  threat-^ 
encd  to  make,  and  did  actually  commence,  or 
prepare  to  make  of  it»  produced  an  union  of  ac- 
tion and  sentiment  among  the  people  of  Amcrl«- 
ca»  some  discontented  or  rather  truitorous  Per- 
sians excepted,  and  these  so  comparatively  fewr 
that  they  excited  but  a  sentiment  of  contempt^ 
and  owed  their  pCrsbnal  safety  to  their  utter  Ina- 
bility to  do  matisrial  injury.  The  citizens  of 
NeW'York,  the  first  cotnmercial  city  in  the  unions- 
gave  an  example  of  political  forbearance  toward 
each  other,  and  of  attachment  to  their  country^ 
which  had  a  salutary  influence  on  evei^  otbep 
part  of  the  nation  *»e  ^   %^ 

At  a  general  meeting  held  in  the  Park  in  thaf^ 
city,  th^  loth  August,  1814,  the  folloWiog,  to^ 
gether  with  several  other  patriotic  resolutiohs^ ' 
were  unanimously  adopted  rr^*^*'^^-^^'hm:m*»':¥^*^^'^r- 

i^jR&8olvedi  that  the  citizens,  here  assembled,  wiliyi^ 
to  the  l^t  extremity,  defend  their  city.  ^ 

«  Re^^ivedy  that :  we  will  unite  ourselves  iii .  armii 
with  oiir%ethren   of  the  country,  and,  on  the  firsi 
approaih  of  the  eheiny«  make  it  a  common  eaute,  ^ 

*^  Resolvedy  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  citisenA.^ 
g^enerally,  to  meet  as  soon  as  may  be  pFactictibt««i^ 
with' convenience,  in  (heir  respective  wards  fior  th«  # 
purpose!^  of  electing  discreet  and  sufikient  CMnmitw^ 
tees  to  promote  the  execudon  ot  the  fbUowiii|^.o|^ 


I?' 


-'? 


^1'- 


ii;.' 


s  ? 


■<JfL 


:m\ 


i 


24>S 


HISTORY   oy  THE  WAS. 


:-,;)(!tJ 


Bi  '   '.  ■■■'       ■7'"» 


If; 


\  « 


«  1.  To  comptete  the  v  jluntory  enrolfnent  of  per* 
tonsy  exempted  by  law  from  militarf  86rvic«.  .. ,  ■. 
i-  MS.  To  eneouragfi  the  enrolment  of  toavfitring. cit- 
izens) for  bervices,  in  the  harbour,  or  aa  artiUerists. 
r  (^.3.  The  enrolment  of: '^itizens  for  ,  voluntary  la- 
bour on  the  public  works.  ,^     ,    , 

^^Reaolved^  that  we  will  endeavour  to  promote 
concord  and  harmony v  and  will  discountenance  all 
attempts  to  weaken  the  patriotic  efforts  of  .godd  citi* 
jsenS' 

,  From  tbiS  momenta  party  feuds  were,,  in  a 
great  measure,  suspended;  newspaper  f^^itors 
excluded  all  acrimonious  poUiic^l  discussions : 
tlie  committee  appoipted  to  carry  into,  effect  the 
resolutions  of  th^  general  meeting,  was  selected 
from  the  most  respectable  of  the  citizens,  with- 
'Out  the  least  respect  to  the  political  party  t0 
vbich  the  persons  selected,  bifionged. 
\  The  plan  of  the  er  ^my  was,  to  dismeniber  the 
union.  A  Qommahv  of  the  North  River  would 
tend  much  to  this,  end,  I'be  possession  of  the 
eity  of  New- York  was  a  desirable  ^l^ec^t  In, 
fvbatever  point  it  might  be  viewed*  /Tbe  ipea- 
sures  of  defence  and  precaution,  take^  jat  JMew- 
York,  probably  prevented  the  intended  attack  on 
that  city;  the  subsequent  attempt  to  gain  pos- 
session of  the  posts  .near  Lake  Cham  plain,  leaves 
little  room  to  ddubt  the  enemy^s  intention.  Had 
that  invasion  succeeded,  we  shouldv  have  soon 
beard  of .  an  invasion  on  the  sea-board,^.dit|ier  at 
New- York,  or  some  place  to.tbe  eastwainl  of  it, 
and  aa  attempt  to  form  a  junction  of  the  two  in- 
vading armies. 

t  For  several  months,  the  citizens  of  New  York 
supplied  more  than  1000  men  daily,  who  laboured 
iu>lu9tarily^iul  wirhout  pay,  at  the  fortiajeatiens  ; 
tad  several  thousands  from  the  adjacent  ooiftt* 


"•^ 


msTORT  01  THB  1VA1I. 


S4» 


ties,  and  from  the  state  of  New-Jersey»  contri* 
buted  their  aid»  until  a  line  of  fortifications  were 
raised  on  the  heij^hts  of  Brooklyn  and  Harlsem* 
sufficient  to  oppose  any  probahle  foree  that  could 
be  employed  by  tlie  enemy. — It  would  be  impos- 
sible to  do  justice  to  the  zeal  that  animated  tiie 
eitizens,  and  it  cannot  be  expected  to  eopy^  or 
even  notice  the  many  editorial  observations  whieli 
appeared  in  the  public  prints  ;  zeal  overflowedy 
so  that  it  became  necessary  to  limit  the  offered 
services  to  a  certain  number  daily*  and  it  often 
happened,  that  services  could  not  be  received  un- 
til several  days  afrer  being  tendered.  The  fol- 
lowing* from  the  Richmond  Compiler*  is  giveOf 
bcdsuse  its  shGrttii^sft  does  not  actually  render  iti( 
insertion  incompatible  with  our  limits. 

<*  To  a  patriotic  mind,  it  Is  truly  exhilerating)  ta 
lead  the  New-York  papers,  and  see  the  generoasy 
ardent  zeal  that  actuates  the  inhabitants  of  that  great 
empurium  of  American  commercs.  At  the  first 
signal  of  breaking  ground  for  the  defence  of  tho 
city,  the  whole  population  seem  to  have  caught  tho- 
.spark  of  patriotic  energy,  to  have  burst  the  shacklea' 
of  apathy,  and  set  to  the  continent  an  example  of  so** 
oial  and  public  spirit,  which  we  trust  may  be  emulat- 
ed through  every  port  of  our  land.  By  wards  and 
sections  of  the  city,  by  tribe*  and  centuries^  by  con«^ 
stituted  bodies  and  private  companies,  by  trades,  by 
professions,  and  by  domestic  parties,  offers  of  person* 
al  service  and  contributions  in  money,  have  been 
made  and  accepted :  and  that  great  mart  of  commer- 
sial  w^itb  and  enterprize,  on  which  the  enemy  have 
so  long^  kept  a  fon^/n^  eye,  is  already  it)access»Mc^ 
in-vulnerable ;  the  pride  and  glory,  and  palladium  of 
the  contiuent.  Who  would  not  be  a  citize*^  of  New- 
York?" 

On  the  1st  September,  the  British  entered  the 
IPeaobscot  river^  with  about  ^0  sail  of  T^wciUi^ 


iB9 


ffkurmt  0^Y  fflrfe  >f  A«. 


}.  *i 


M: 


li;}'  ''■■''■'•is 

SV    ■'■«*! 


al''. ■■"'»'''  1'  i-jiit}.  '"'"i^Ti 


and  several  thousand  men*  and  took  possessf  on  of 
CiiMine,  the  small  garrison  of  whioli  ted*  affer 
blowirffi;  up  the  fort.  'I'hey  next  sent  600  men 
to  Belfast*  whieh  submitted.  The  following  day 
they  ptoeceded  up  the  river  to  Haniden,  where 
the  Adunis  frigate  lay.  (3apt.  Morris  made  eve- 
ry  possible  disposition  to  resist  the  enemy,  bnt 
finding  his  limited  force  inadequate  to  that  end» 
lie  spiked  his  guns,  burned  his  stores,  blew  up 
the  ship,  and,  with  his  orew,  escaped.  The  Bri- 
tish governor  immediately  announced,  that  the 
country,  lying  between  the  Penobscot  river  and 
Passamaquoddy  bay,  would  be  e^msidered  as  a 
part  of  the  British  territory.  Measures  were 
also  taken  to  fortify  Casltne,  and  establish  per- 
manent commercial  regulations.  It  was  estima- 
ted that  120  vessels  were  taken  in  the  Penob- 
«eot. 

'J.S  While  the  enemy  was  coupling  petty  conquest 
ivith  cowardice  and  eruelty,  along  the  sea-board, 
the  American  army  of  the  interior  was  plueking 
from  the  brows  of  imported  invinciblcs  the  lau- 
rels won  on  the  theatre  of  late  European  con- 
flicts. 

The  brave  OeneraT  Jacob  Brown,  who  had  m 
the  last  year  signalized  himself  by  the  defence 
of  Sacket's  Harbour,  was  appointed  to  the  com^ 
mand  of  the  army  on  the  Niagara  frontier. 
V,  On  the  2d  July,  General  Brown,  made  disposi- 
tions for  an  intended  attack  on  the  British  Fort 
Erie ;  and  issued  orders  to  the  troops  d^r  eras- 
sing  the  river.  The  army  passed  the  Magara 
river  on  the  morning  of  the  3d.  The  enemy  was 
perfectly  unapprized  of  the  intended  attack; 
Gen.  Scott,  who  led  the  van,  was  on  shore  be- 
fore the  enemy's  picket  discovered  the  approach/. 
'Pie  fori  being  appros^ched  on  tbe  right  $ind  lettf 


v.»; 


HItTORT  Of  THS  WAR. 


%Bt 


ttid  the  Tnilians  in  the  woods,  in  the  rear*  Gen* 
Bi'ovvn  8Uniinion«*d  the  gaiTison  to  surrendepy 
which,  aftei*  a  Hhurt  time  allowed  for  oonsidera* 
tion,  wai  agreed  to.  At  six  o*t;loei(  the  ^arrl« 
son  marched  and  stactced  their  arms  ;  170  refipu- 
Jars,  inoluding  seven  officers,  were  sent  aeross 
the  river.      ,  :-     / 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  Ju1y«  Gen.  ScotCf 
with  Ilia  brigadt^*  and  a  corps  of  artillery,  ad- 
vanced toward  Chippewa.  After  some  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy,  he  selected  a  judicious  posi« 
tion  for  the  night ;  his  right  resting  on  the 
2'iver,  and  a  ravine  in  front ;  at  11  at  iiight.  Gem 
Brown  joined  him  with  the  reserve  under  Gen. 
Ripley,  and  a  corps  of  artillery,  under  Major 
Hind  man— a  fir  Id  and  battering  train  were  also 
brought  up;  Gen.  Porter  arrived  in  the  momingy 
with  a  part  of  the  New-York  and  Pennsylvania 
volunteers,  aod  soiae  of  the  warriors  of  the  Six 
Nations.  < .  i», 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  enemy 
attacked  the  pickets ;  by  noon  he  showed  him*, 
self  on  tlie  left  of  the  army,  and   attacked  ona 
of  the  pickets,  as  it   was  returning  to  camp.-^ 
Captain  Treat,  who  commanded  the  picket,  re- 
tired, leaving  a  wounded  man  on   the  ground.— «\ 
Captain  Biddle,   of  th^  artillery,   promptly  as<< 
sumed  the  command  of  this  picket,  led  it  back/ 
to  the  wounded  man,  and   brought  him  off  the 
field. 

GenefAl  Brown  instantly  ordered  Capt.  Treat' 
to  retire  from   the  army,  and  advised,  that  hit;^] 
name,  and  that  of  another  officer,    should   b» 
struuk  from  the  roll  of  the  army.     This  circum- 
stance was  noticed  in  a  note   to  the   first  edition '> 
of  this   work,  without  the   following  ne<^essary. 
addition,  which  did  not^.  and.eouid  not,  have^Cheiih 
(i»itte  to  the  knowledge  of  the  couj|iiler. 


m. ' 


/ 


•vr 


.-r* 


BTBTOBT  Ot  VBM  WAS. 


f 


■A     ,     .« 


1  1      ^/•''••"'•'•:':'/Jil  ' 


A 


.  Capt  Treat  demanded  a  eonrt  of  iiMiuiry  ;  It 
^as  not  granted  ;  but  a  Court  Martial  was  or* 
dered  at  Fort  Erie.  The  left  divisioD  of  the  ar- 
my marehed  to  Saoltet't  Harbour  looa  aftef^ 
nod  the  etiurt  was  dissolved. 

Capt.  Treat  iinmediatelj.  proceeded  to  Sae- 
ket*s  tiarbour^  bj  permission  from  Mi^*  Gea. 
laard,  and  requested  another  Court  Martial.— 
Major  General  Brown»  on  the  Hh  April,  1815, 
after  the  repeated  selieitations  of  Capt.  Treat, 
issued  an  order,  organizing  a  eourt,  consistini^of 
Col.  M*Feelj,  president ;  Lieut.  Colonel  Smith, 
Major  Croker,  Maj.  Boj^le,  M%jorMullany,^Maj. 
Chaoe,  Capt.  White,  members ;  Capt.  Seymour, 
supernumerary  ;  Lieutenant  Andersen^  Idth  re- 
giment, judge  advocate. 

The  court  met,  and  proceeded  on  the  trial  the 
«th  April,  1815,  at  Saeket's  Harbour.  They 
closed  the  investigation  on  the  8th  May,  ivheD 
Capt.  Treat  was  honourably  acquitted. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  decision  of  the 
aourt : 

«  After  mature  deliberation  on  the  testimony 
adduced,  (he  couri  do  find  the  accused  JOSEPH 
TREAT,  of  the  2ist  infantry,  not  guilty  of  the 
charge  or  speeiftcations  preferred  against  him, 
and  do  bonottfably  acquit  him.'' 

l^he  sentence  of  the  court  was  approved  by 
Maj.  Gen.  Browo.  and  promulgated  «n  the  ^th 
June,  at  Sai'ket*8  Harbour.  » 

At  four  o'eloek  in  the  afternoon  Gen.  Porter 
advanced  with  the  volunteers  and  Indians*  in 
order  to  induce  the  enemy  to  come  forth.-- 
Gen.  Porter's  command  met  the  light  parties  of 
the  enemy  in  the  woods.  The  eneiny  wasdriveD, 
and  Porter  pursued  until  near  Chippewa,  where 
lie  met  tlieir  whole  oolumii>  in  order  of  batti^^ 


AS' 


.*.! 


4 


BISTORT  OV   THB  WAH. 


253 


The  bcftTy  ftring  iiuluoed  a  belief  (lint  the  cn-^ 
tire  foroe  of  the  enemjr  was  in  motion^  ami  pre  • 
pared  for  aotion.  Gen.  Scott  wm  ordered  to 
odvanoe  with  his  brigade^  and  Towson's  artil* 
lerv.  The  general  advanced  in  the  most  prompt 
and  offioer-like  manner,  and,  in  a  few  mioutes^ 
wasineiose  aetion  with  a  superior  force  of  the 
enemy.  By  this  lime  Gen.  Porter's  command 
had  given  way,  and  fled  in  disorder,  notwith- 
standing the  great  exertions  of  the  general  to 
rally  them,  rhis  retreat  left  the  left  (lank  of 
Gen.  Seott's  brigade  greatly  exposed.  Captaiif 
llarris  was  directed,  with  his  dragoons,  to  sto*) 
the  fugitives^  behind  the  ravine,  fronting  f^ie 
Ameriean  eamp.  Gen.  Ripley,  with  the  ^1  sty 
regiment,  which  formed  part  of  the  reserve^ 
passed  to  the  left  of  the  oamp,  uniler  cove  '^f 
the  wood,  to  relieve  Gen.  Soott,  by  fallin[f  on 
the  enemy's  right  flank,  but,  before  the  2ist 
could  come  into  its  position,  the  line  command- 
ed by  Gen.  Seott  closed  with  the  enemy.  Msy. 
Jessup,  commanding  the  left  flank  battaHon^ 
findtBg  himsdf  pressed  in^  front  and  flank,  and 
Ills  men  falling  fast  around  him,  ordered  his 
l>attalion  to  «  mippoH  arms  and  advance  ;**  tho 
order  was  promptJy  obeyed,  amidst  the  most 
deadly  and  destructive  fire.  Ha^fn^  gainecfa 
better  position,  he  poured  on  the  ^  aemy  a  fire 
so  galling,  as  caused  them  to  retire.  The  en- 
emy's entire  line  now  fell  back,  ^nd  continued  t« 
retreat,  until  at  the  sloping  g;i*ound,  descending 
towai^  Chippewa,  when  they  broke,  and  fled  to 
their  works. 

Gen.  Browa,  finding  the  pursuit  of  the  troops 
elioeked  by  the  batteries  of  the  enemy,  ordered 
fi^  his  ordnance,  in  order  to  force  the  plaocy 
1af  a  divect  attack^  but  was  induced^  by  the  re- 


'\ 


t6^ 


UISTOItT  OF  THE  VfltU^ 


» 


ijport  of  Maj.  Wood,  and  Capt.  Austin*  ^Ho  1*6^ 
connoitereil  the  enemy's  works,  tli«  lateness  of 
the  hour,  and  (he  advice  of  his  ofiicei's,  to  onler 
the  forces  tf^  retire  to  camp.  The  Americnn 
troops,  on  no  occasion,  behaved  with  more  gal- 
lantry than  on  the  present.  The  British  regu- 
lars suffl>red  defeat  from  a  number  of  men,  prin- 
eipaliy  volunteers  and  militia,  inferior  in  every 
thiitg  but  eouruge,  to  the  vanquished  enenty ; 
and  the  gallant  Hi'own,  a  woodsman,  ^<a  soldier 

J  of  yesterday,"  put  at  detiani-e  the  military  tac- 
tics ofthe  experienced  Maj.  Gen.  Riall. 

The  fullowing  is  a  copy  of  a  letier.  written  by 
Cen.  Brown,  on  the  field  of  buttl^y  directed  to 
the  secvetaryk  of  ;mar..,    - 

«<  SiR--^Xctise  nVy 'silence.  I  have  been  much 
engaged.  Fort  Erie  did  nof,  as  1  assund  you  it 
should  not,  detain  me  a  siiifi^le  day.  At  T 1  O'clock, 
on  the  night  of  the  4th,  ^arrived  at  this  place  irUh 
the  reserve,  General  Scott  having  taken  the  positioii 
about  noon,  with  the  Van.  IVIy  arrangemtnts  for 
turning  and  takin^' In  the  rrar  the  enemy's  position 
cast  of  Chippewa,  was  mude,  when  Major  Gent-ral 
Hiall,  suspecting  our  intention,  and  adhering  to  the 
rule,  that  it  is  bttter,  tc'  give  than  lo  receive  an  at- 
tack, came  from  behind^  his  works  about  5  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  3th,  in  order  of  battle.  We 
did  not  baulk  him.  Before  6  o'clock  his  line  was 
broken,  and  his  forces  defeateri,  leaving  on  the  field 
fuur  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  He  was  ciosdy 
pressed,  and  Would  have  been  utterly  ruined,  but  for 
tlie  proxiniity  of  his  w^rksv  whither  he  flt-.d  fot  Shelter. 
The  wounded  of  the-  enemy,  and  those  of  our  own 
army  must  be  Attended  to.  They  will  be  rcmovrd 
to  BufPaloe.  {This,  with  my  limited  means  for  trans- 
portation, will  take  a  day  or  two,  after  which  I  shall 
a<lvance.  not  doubting  but  that  t!'.<:  gallant  and  ac- 
complished troops  1  lead)  will  break  down  all  oppo* 


«■ 


>s^' 


rf?if 


HIBTORT    OF  THE    WAlElrf 


255 


t-^ 


litibn  between  mc  and  Ei»ke  Ontario,  when,  if  me|^ 
by  the  i^eot,  4|ki^   welt-— tt  notf  under  the  favour  of 
heaven,  we  sh^  behave  in  a  way  to  avoid  disgrace." 

The  battle  of  Uri(l;;j;wat('r,  fought  on  the  ZM\i 
July,  was   bloody'  ^nd  well   contested  on   botif 
Bidesi    The  enemy  wa**  ermpo^ed  of   5000  men, 
of  the  best  troops,  eommanded  by  Gen.   Iti^il, 
and  otherS;»  the  best  British  officers.     It  isdli#^ 
to  theni   to  reenrd,  that    they    fod^ht  well,  but 
they  foifj^ht  against  freemen,  and  wim'c  defeated. 
Opposed  to  the   bravest  slaves  in  the   world,  of   ' 
equal  fo roe,  this  Brinish  army  would   have  eon*  , 
qnercd.     The  Amei  icariB  were  fewer  in  number 
thanitheeneniy  ;  tiiey  were  men,  most  of  whoni^ 
had  yet  td  learn  railiiary  taeties,  but  who  had  sH 
eountry^  now  staked  In  a  contest,  which  the  pre- 
sent battle  might  materially  cStui,  or^inits  con- 
sequence, decide. 

On  the  "iibthi  Gen.  Brown's  army  was  encamp-'^ 
ed  above  Chippewa,  near  the  battle  ground  of 
the  5th.    The  brigade   under  Gen.  Scott  mov**. 
ed  past    Chippewa,  and   halted   at  Bridgwater,^  ^ 
in  view  of  Niagara  falls.     At  half  past  four,  p.  m.* 
the  battle  was  commenced  by  the  enemy.     The 
enemy,  being  numerically  superior  to  the  Ame- 
ricans, he  was  able  to  extend   bis  line  so  as  Ui 
attempt  to  flank.     In   order  to  counteract   tne 
apiljirent  view  of  Gen,   Riall,  he  was  fouf;ht  in 
deikchments — he  was  charged Jn  column*  Gen. 
Scott  being  at  the  head  of  his  troops  in  almost 
every  ieharge.     General   Seott    maintained  his 
ground  Wv  more   than   an  hour,  before  the  re- 
serve  under   Gen*   Ripley,  and  the  volunteers^ 
u»der  Gen.  Porter*  were  brought  ftilly  into  ac* 
lion.     The  ground  was  obstinately  eb'ntes ted  un- 
til nine  oVlock  in  the  evening,  when  Gen.  Brown 
decided  to  stDrm  a  battery^  whitll  the  eneny 


j^ 


■m 


■#■ 


im 


256 


HISTOAT  OV  THE   WAB. 


4  -If 

if.  ;;ii^r^ 


.bad  OB  a  commanding  eminence.  Col.  Miller 
commanded  on  this  enterprize,  ^v^H^^  ^^^  ^®  ^^' 
solute)^  entered  on,  that  the  enemy,  unable  to 
nvithstand  the  eharge,  retired  to  the  bofttom  of 
lhehill,and  abandoned  his  eaitnon.  The  enemy 
now  gave  way,  and  vas  pursued  some  distance. 
The  American  army  then  betook  itself  to  the 
flpfuring  of  prisoners,  and  bringing  off  the 
wounded.    ^ 

^hiie  (he  army  ^ras  thus  employed^'General 
'    Prnmmond  arriiod  with  a  reinforcement  to  the 
"tsnemy,   when  he>- unexpectedly  to  the  Ameri* 
^^ans,  renewed  the  battle,  with  a  view  to*t«eoT- 
cr  his    cannon.     The  army,    having    tfia/t^U 
fbrmed,  resisted  the  attack  ^ith  courage;  aifd| 
after  a  close  engagement,  the  enemy  was   re- 
pulsed, as  he  was  in  two  other  similar  attemptSi^ 
The  American  army  having  effected  the  remo- 
val of  nearly  all  the  wounded,  retired  from  the 
ground  a  little  before  midnight,  and  returned  to 
camp. 

The  warmth  and  zeal  with  which  this  aotiod 
was  maintained,  was  the. most  obstinate  and  de- 
termined. For  two  hours,  the  discharge  of 
musketry  was  so  constant,  as  to  produce  almost 
im  uninterrupted  blaze  of  fire  ;  nor  was  it  in  any 
jl^riod  of  (his  action,  much  less  warm.  M^ei> 
lington's  «  invincibles'*  had  just  arrived  from 
Europe,  and  Drummond '  resolved  that  lUley 
should  n^t  only  maintain  Iheir  characler,  but, 
maintain  it  in  a  manner  that  would  make  tho 
most  desponding  impression  on  the  brave,  but 
raw  recruits  of  the  republic.  The  Americans 
not  only  withstood  the  onset,  but  repelled  and 
punished  ill^  A  fine  moon-light  night  favoured 
equHJiy  the  operations  of  both  armies ;  they 
fought  t<K>  near  to  render  cannon  generally  ser- 


■>^v 


.■«^ 


.^ 


UI8T0RT   Olf  THE   WAR. 


257 


:-M- 


^ieeable,  being  of  fen  within  half  pistol  shot  of 
eauh  oihei'»  anil  souirtiines  mingled  together. — 
The  charge  of  Col.  Miller  exceeded  any  thing 
experienced  by  the  British  soldiers,  even,  ilri^  Eu- 
rope. Thrice  his  men  were  repulsed  with  great 
slaughter.  For  a  time  he  was  deserted  by  a 
regiment  of  infantry;  they  were  rallied;  a 
fourth  charge  was  made,  and  succeeded.  The 
Americans  could  not  be  driven,  nor  withstood: 
determined  not  to  be  overthrown,  even  by  supe^w, 
rior  numbers,  they  seemed  resolved  to  crU^ 
whatever  foe  opposed  them.  Hud  they  been 
conquered,^  they  would  yet  deserve  honour  %,  as 
yictorst  they  covered  themselves  with  glory.— 
They  lo»t  a  howitzer;  the  rider  being  shot  oO» 
the  horses  carried  it  full  gallop  into  the  ranks 
of  the  enemy ;  they  also  lost  a  pieee  of  eanfion» 
which  ^as  too  much  advanced,  and  from  which, 
the  men,  except  two,  were  shot.  For  want  of 
horses,  they  were  compelled  to  leave  to  the  ^n- 
emy  most  of  the  camion  which  were  taken  from 
him,  with  sueh  bravery,  and  at  such  expence. 

On  the  morning  after  the  battle,  the  Ameri- 
eans,  under  Generals  Hipley  and  Porter,  recon- 
noitei^ed  the  enemy^,  who  did  not  shew  any  jdis- 
potiition  to  renew  the  eoatest,  arid  then  burned 
the  enemy'sr  barracks  and  a  bridge  at  Chippewa 
after  which  they  returned  to  Fort  Erie. 
.  Tke.  enemy  was  believed  to  have  lost  between 
12Oi0^iind  1300  men,  irictuding  Maj.  Gen.  Riall, 
who  was  wounded,  and.  witli  18  other  oflScersy 
and  150  non  £ommission#l  offieers  and  privatcs^v 
taken  prisoners  The  ^Vdiericans  lost  o>te  major, 
1  adjutant,  d  captains,  4  subalteri^rlO  sergeants, 
10  corporals,  11.0  privates — total  killed.  171  — 
1  major  general,  1  brigadier-general,  3  aids^de- 
eampjt  i  brigade-miy«*r,  i  colonel^  1  l^teiiant*^ 

.^  w.al> 


Mi 


M». 


m 


2M 


HISTORY  OV  THG  WAItk 


(J.     ■:    i#-^ 


li^ 


'      , ' ,  "11" 


m' 


colonel*  4  majors,  1  adjutant,  3  quarter- masters,. 
1  pay-mastei^^  7  captains,  S2  subalterns,  517  non- 
commissioned officers  anti  privates— total  wound- 
ed, &72s  missings  117 — total,  860. 

The  Hritish  force  engaged,  amounted  ^y  their 
own  confession,  to  4500  men«  mostly  or  wholly 
regnlars,  beside  a  host  of  Indians ;  the  Ai  lertcan 
force  did  not  exceed  2800  men,  eonsistin  ^  in  a 
great  proportion  of  the   militia  of  Penns  Ivania 
and  New-York.     Gen.  Browor  in  his  official  re- 
>|HHrt,  partieularly  notices  the  brave  and  prudent 
^^eonduet  of  Generak  Ripley.  Porter,  and  Scott; 
-  Colonela  Miller,  Dobbin,  of  New  York^  Wilcox, 
and  Gardener;  Majors  M*Farland,    Hbdman^ 
Jessup,  Wood,  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,.  Jones, 
M'Ree,  and  Wood,  of  the  engineers;  Captains 
Tow2on,   Ketehum,  Biddle,  ami  Ritchie  ;  Lieutb 
£.B.  Randolph;  Aidsde  Camp  Worth,  Smith, 
Austin,  and  Sponoer..    Some  of  these  brave  me  a 
fell  in  aetion,  and  nearly  all  of  them  were  cover- 
ed with  wounds« 

I  Gen.  Brown  received  two  wounds^  but  eontin* 
lied  to  eommcnd  until  the  action  ended.  The 
general  was  obliged,  by^  the  severity  of  his 
ivoijnds,  to  retire  from  the  cdmmand,  which  de- 
Totfed  on  Gen.  Ripley,  Gen.  Soott  being  also 
disabled,  by  woiiod,  ^om  coDtinuing  in  com- 
mands 

The  army  eontimied  on  the  Canada  side,  seem- 
iitgly  resolved  to  maintain  itself  against  ai^ene^ 
myt  whieb  was  recoivins  frequent  reiofpreements, 
ond  had,  after  a  littlefime,  beeome  formidable, 
in  niimbersraiid  equipments^ 

The  ^n^biii^Plifter  reoovering  the  eflTeols  of  the 
l>attle' of  Bridgwater,  moved  up  toward  the 
AmeriolAii  army,  at  Foft  Erie;  and  frequent 
4|UriiislijM  wsucd^  in  w]ii«i&  the  to»mf  was  gea» 


.# 


HISTOUT   OT  THE   WAV. 


25»' 


«i^1iy  worsted.  On  the  3(1  August,  about  500- 
regulars,  umler  Col.  Tuc^ker,  ci'osseil  below 
Black  Rock,  but  were  met  Uy  200  riflemen,  and 
a  party  of  volunteers,  under  (Vlajor  Morgan;  and» 
after  a  long  contest,  were  d.feat^d,  and  coin|iel- 
led  to  re-cross  the  riv^r.  Brigadier  General 
Gaines,  arrived  at  Erie  the  Mh  August,  and  as- 
sumed the  conomand,  during  General  Brown's 
illness. 

On  the  i5th  A?igust,  the  enemy,  under  the  frn-- 
mediate  cumioand  of  General    l)i*uinmond,  at- 
tempted to  slorm    Fort    Erie;  the   result  was 
oomoiunicateil  in  a  letter  from  General  Gainesy. 
i*  the  secretary  of  war,  of  which  the  following 
is  a  co|iy^r.  I 

««  Head  Quarters,  Fort  Erie,  U.  C.     K 
Aug.  Id,  7  A  M.  1814.  ■"      I' 

Dear  8i» — My  heart    is  gladdened,  with   grati*^ 
tude  to  heaven,  and  joy  to  my  country,  to  have  it  in< 
my  power  to  inform  you  (hat,  the  gallani  army  un«^« 
der  my  command,   has  this  morning  beaten  the  en- 
emy, commanded  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Drummond,  after  a. 
severe  conflict  of  three  hours    commencing  at  two 
o'clock,  A.   M.     They  attacked  us  on  each  flank— » 
got  possession  of  the  salient  baittion,  of  the.  old  Fort 
Erie,  which  was  regained  at  the  point,  of  the  bayo- 
net, with  a  dreadful  slaughter.     The  enemy's  luss,, 
in  killed  and  prisonc  s,  is  about  600;  near  300   kii* 
led.     pur  loss  is. considerable,  but  1  think  not  one- 
tenth  as  great  as  that  of  the  enemy.     1  will  not  de« 
tain  tho  eic|)ress  to  give  you  the  particulars.     1;  am 
preparing  my  force  to  follow  up  the  blow.** 

The  assault  was  of  that  desperate,  nature*  that 
was  Q;kkeulated  to  rub  away  the  stains  of  former 
dff feats,  to  resuscitate  the  sinkipg  charms  of  aqt 
assumed  inviqi^ibility,  and  save  the  Britisl^gene*; 
paii  kom  couteui|)t9  siad  perhaps,  disgrae^^    Th% 


iim.'  J 


369 


HISTORY  OF  TUB  WAR. 


ij 


W  \..:'"S& 


[■yWij;    .■■!*/j;*.»  ■'"■'■■'I  ■.,'■»'■,  L 


projection  was  grand  ;  the  means  of  aocomplish- 
ing  it,  great,  and  relied  on  tor  its  effieiene^  ;  the 
attempt  to  exeeute,  was  sufiported  with  an  en- 
thusiasm in  the  officers,  and  a  meehanical  obe- 
dience in  theuien,  which  promised,  and  almost  se- 
cured success.  The  invincihles  were^  however, 
destined  to  ex|)erieRce  another  defeat;  and  the 
Americans  added  another  wreath  to  the  laurels 
.  with  which  they  were  already  so  plenlifuUy 
^  ^blessed.  The  enemy  was  lb rgely  supplied  with 
the  means  generally  used  on  such  o<^asions, 
'%v  pikes,  bayonets,  spears,  scaling  ladders,  ^iC.  Re- 
pulsed.and  repulsed,  he  rallied  and  returned  to 
the  attack;  he  carried  a  bastion,  aMii  by  his 
condui^l,  evinced,  what  was  to  be  the  i^te  of  the 
republicans,  if  vanquished.  Lieut.  M^iiougal, 
beinu;  severely  wounded,  in  defending  the  bastion, 
demanded  quarter,  it  was  refused^  Gen.  Drum- 
.  mond  crying  out,  **  give  the  damned  Yankees  no 
quarter."  iVl*Doogal  defended  himself  until  shot 
down  by  a  pistol,  'Fhe  bastion  was  re  taken  by 
the  greatest  display  of  courage  and  exertion. 
i-  This  assault  was  preceded  by  a  cannonade  and 
bombardment,  which  oommenced  at  sun-rise  on 
the  morning  of  the  loth,  and  tontimied  until  8 
o'clock,  p.  M. ;  was  recommenced  on  th^  14th, 
at  day- light,  and  continued  until  night*— the  as- 
sault was  commenced  at  half  past  two  on  the 
morning  of  the  Idth.  The  result  was  the  defeat 
of  the  assailants,  accompanied  with  a  losfsof  222 
men  killed,  174*  wounded,  ad  186  prisoners^*  to- 
tal 582.  exclusive  of  a  number  (8up|>08ed  ZVO) 
killed  in  the  wafer,  a  id  carried  off  by  the  cur- 
rent, rhe  llrmericans  lost  25  killed,  91  wound- 
ed, and  11  tnissiog— ^total  128. 

The  en^my  continued  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
^ort  Erie,    streogthening    and  extending   his 


^j^t 


-%. 


■'i^," 


■;s: 


HISTOST   OV  THE   WAB. 


261 


works  and  calling  in  reinforcements,  with  a  view 
to  the  animate  occupation  of  the  fori,  and  the 
eapture  or  destruction  of  the  garrison*  The  en- 
emy's works  were  constructed  in  a  field  surround- 
ed by  woods*  Their  infantry  was  formed  into 
three  brigades  of  about  IdOO  men  each.  One  of 
these  brigades!  with  a  detail  from  their  artillery^ 
was  stationed  at  their  works  (these  being  but  500 
yards  distant  from  Old  Port  Erie,  and  the  Hght 
of  General  Brown's  line.)  The  Americans  had 
already  suffered  much  from  two  of  the  enemyta 
batteries  and  a  third  was  about  to  be  opeuedr 
Gen.  Brown,  baring  recofcred  of  his  wounds^ 
resumed  the  command,,  on  the  t2d  September* 
The  sitiiition  of  the  army  was  extremely  eritic^al. 
As  the  onlj  mode  of  relieving  himself,  he  deter- 
mined to  storm  the  batteries,  destroy  the  can- 
non and  roughly  handle  the  enemy's  brigade  on 
duty,  before  those  in  reserve  would   be  brought 

linto  action. 

is  The  enemy's  works  were  very  strong,  regular, 
and  executed  with  a  studied  intricacy,  consisting 
of  a  breast- work,  coaoecting  their  batteries,  and 
of  successive  lines  of  entrenchments  in  the  rear, 
covering  the  batteries  and  enfilading  each  other; 
and  the  whole  obstructed  by  abbatis,  brush,  and 
felled  timber.  It  was  calculated  to  resist,  and 
throw  into  confusion,  the  most  experienced  as- 
sailants, and  led  to  many  severe  contests  with  the 
bayonet* 

.  I>iiitt4ions  were  given,  by  General  BroAvn,  to^ 
march  at  noon,  on  the  17th  September,  to  the 
intented  assault.  General  Porter  commanded  a. 
detachment  of  volunteers,  riflemen,  regular  in- 
fantry, and  a  few  dragoons.  These  moved  from 
the  extreme  left  of  the  American  position  upon 
the  enemy's  rights  by  a  passage  opened  through 


zy"-  I'.l 


fOltJk}- 


u% 


BI8T0KT  OV  TUB  WAB. 


mi 


fjfia 


»*i 


1^-  ^-i 


,;«ri-. 


raii 


[•ilrt'Jf 


/'V. 


Hfc. 


S- 


the  woods  for  (lie  oooasion*  (i^n.  Miller  Itaifpii^ 
ed  liUooininand  in  Ihe  ph vine  between  Fort  hWi9 
and  (he  cnemy*)»  batteries*  Uy  passing  them  bj 
de(auhinen(s  (hi'ough  (he  skirts  of  the  w<»od — 
The  'itbi  infundy*  under  Oen.  Uipiey,  wu«  post- 
ed as  a  corps  of  reserve^  between  ihe  new  b»8<* 
tioMs  or  Fori  Krie.  <*  About  20  minutes  past 
tliree,  p.  m»*^  snys  Gen.  Brown*  in  his  offieial  re- 
port, *V  I  found  the  left  column,  under  the  eom- 
itiaiid  of  (ten.  Porter,  which  were  destined  to 
turn  (he  enem^^'s  right,  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
British  entrenotiments.  They  were  ordered  to 
gid vanoe  and  com ment'C  the  action.  Passing  down 
the  ravine,  V  judged,  from  the  report  otoiuske- 
try,  that  the  action  had  eomm^fnced  ofi^|pr  left  ; 
I  now  hastened  to  (len.  Miller,  and  dirwied  him 
to  seize  the  moment,  and  pierce  the  enemy's  en«> 
trenchmeots,  between  batteries  No.  2  and  3.— 
My  orders  were  promptly  and  ably  executed  — 
"Within  SO  minutes  after  the  first  gun  wasfired,' 
batteries  No.  3  and  2,  the  enemy's  line  of  en- 
trenchments, and  his  two  block-houses*  were  in 
our  possession,  Soon  after,  battery  No.  1  was 
abandoned  by  the  British.  The  guns  in  each 
were  spiked  by  us,  or  otherwise  destroyed,  and 
the  magazine  of  No.  3,  was  blown  up." 

,The  enemy's  loss  exceeded,  from  the  most 
probable  account,  1000  men,  including^  majors, 
4  eaptains,  ^  lieutenants,  1  ensign,  ont>  assistant- 
Burgeon,  4  staff- Serjeants,  19  Serjeants,  17  cor'' 
porals,  one  drummer,  and  3S2  privates.  /  'Vbe  A- 
iTiericans  lost  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing, 
511.  General  D|ivis,  Of  the  militia*  was  killed. 
The  action  lasted  more  tlmntwo  hours,  and  was 
family  contested  for  abd^t  one  hour.  In  the 
course  of  the  action*  the  entire  of  the  enemy's 
force  was  brought  into  aotiODf  consif ting  princi- 


BIBTOBT  OF  THE  WAV. 


S6S 


1 

pally  of  rfi^ulars  utidvr  command  of  Ijient.  Gea. 
Di'iiiiiiiiond.  80  MUtUfied  was  the  BrifiKli  gene- 
ral of  bis  inability  to  contend,  evt^n  aided  by  bis 
YeteranSf  against  the  raw  Noldn^rM  that  formed 
the  American  at'm,>«  that  hv  broke  up  his  camp* 
dui'ing  the  night  ol*  (he  ^iHt,  and  retired  to  his 
entrenehuienis  behind  the  Chippewa.  •^Tbus*' 
rdya  (weiieral  Biowii*  **  one  thousand  regului'S« 
and  an  equal  portioii  of  militJH,  in  one  hour  of 
close  aetion,  biasled  the  h'pes  of  the  enemy^ 
destroyed  the  fiMiits  of  fiffy  dnys  labour,  and  di- 
nvinisiied  his  eifeciive  force,  one  thousand  men  at 
least." 

AneniiMdi^iofl  under  the  command  of  Lieiit. 
Col.  (i.J^OgUan,  was  set  oh  foot  in  July,  1814* ; 
the  chiel^iobji  et  of  whieb,  was  ihe  reduction  of 
Fort  Mackinac,  which  had  been  taken  by  the  en- 
emy iti  the  early  part  of  the  war.  The  expedi- 
tion Mi  Fort  liat!t)it  (head  oi  Straits  St.  Clair) 
on  the  121b.  O^itig  to  a  want  of  pilots  acquai  it- 
ed  with  the  unfref|uen(ed  part  of  the  bay,  the  in- 
tended course  of  the  vessels  was  somewhat  alter* 
ed  ;  I  bey  anchored  at  Ht.  Joseph's  on  the  201  hf. 
After  setting  fire  to  the  fort  of  8t.  Joseph,  which 
seemed  not  to  have  been  recently  oeeupied,  a  de^ 
taehtnentof  inlantry  and  aiillery,  under  Major 
}lolm(s<  was  ordered  4o  Sault,  St.  ^far}'*s,  for 
the  purpose  of  breaking  up  the  enemy'*  esta- 
blish uient  at  that  place.  A  few  hours  before  the 
arrival  of  Major  Holmes  at  the  Sault.  St.  Mary's, 
the  niirfl«we8t  agent  was  apprized  of  his  approa^lr, 
and  succeeded  in  es  aping  with  a  large  quantity 
of  goods.  A  large  quantity  were,  however,  found 
secretetl  in  the  woods,  on  the  American  sidt  — 
lliese  was  claimed  by  the  agent  of  John  .T'ihn* 
son,  an  Indian  trader;  but  Major  Holmes  d***- 
€liaed  giving  them  im  Mr.  JohttsoD^  **  because^^ 


'■'0^ 


ml 


t.% 


m.  \ 
'if.  [ 


ft?*' 


26* 


BISTORT  OV  THE  VJkll. 


>Tt 


:%E 


•  iTif   I. 


\im 


'J 


•/is:*^ 


^:» 


•IV-A 


if*' 


[:»-'•, 


'M 


■"■'  •■#1/,-' 


as  Major  Holmes  observed  in  his  letter  to  l4ieilt. 
Col.  A^i'oglmn,  •*  it  was  good  prize  by  k!ie  mikitiv 
time  law  of  nationsf  as  recognized  in  i\\^  finglisb 
courts,  (witness  the  ease  of  Admiral  Rodney  ad* 
judged  by  Lord  Mansfield.)  Furtiier*  because 
Johnson  has  acted  tbe  infamous  part  of  a  trai- 
tor, having  been  a  citizen  and  a  magistrate  of 
the  Michigan  territory,  before  the  war  and  at 
its  commeneemer^t,  and  now  disrhargiiig  the 
functions  of  m  .g'strate  under  the  British  gov* 
erninent.  Because^  his  agents  armed  the  In- 
diuos  from  bis  store-house  at  our  approaeh ; 
and  lasli> « because,  those  goods,  or  a  eonsidera* 
ble  part,  were  designed  to  be  taken  to.^  Michili* 
mackinae."  'ir«txv    .♦!      »«>** " 

The  expedition  reached  Miehilimaekinae  on 
the  26th,  where  the  enemy  was  found  so  strong- 
ly posted  on.  a.  height,  overlooking  the  old  fort» 
that  his  reduction  by  storm,  with  the  small 
force  under  C'ol.  Croghan,  seemed  very  doubtful. 
It  was  the  eoIonePs  wish,  at  all  hazards*  to  dis- 
embark in  some  favourable  position,  from  which 
he  might  be  able  to  annoy  the  euemy  by  gradual 
and  slow  approaches,  under  eover  of  his  artijJe- 
ry,  and  where,  by  fortifying  himself,  he  might 
force  the  enemy  to  atruck  him  in  his  strong  po- 
sition ;  or  draw  his  Indians  and  Canadians^ (his 
most  efficient  and  only  disposible.foree)  from  the 
island.  .  •  ;      ;  -  -4 

lli'ing  informed,  by,  old  resiilents  of 4:  the  isl&nd^ 
Inhere  a  favourable  position  might  be  obtained/ 
he  eflTceted  a  landing  oi;  the  4*th  Augusts  and 
advanced  to  the  field  where  an  encampment  was 
intended,  when  he  received  intelUgenee  vtitattho 
enemy  was  ahead,  of  which  he  ^as  soon^:  convin- 
ced, by  a  discharge  of  shot  and:  shells  frovH'  a 
^ttery  pf  four  guns,  Theool»na)> >heEeon^ohtt6g- 


m 


ntsTomT  ov  thk  yrxn. 


^TSS 


«d  his  position,  ^wbioh  was  then  two  lineP)  tli6 
mMkia  fuming  ttio  front,)  bj  advancin];  Major 
Jlolines'v  Imttalion  on  the  right  of  the  militia, 
thuato onfflank  him, and  by « rigorous  cfTort  to 
gain  bis  r«far.  Belbre  tliis  movement  could  be 
eieeotcd,  a  fire  fh»m  some  Indians,  posted  in  a 
thiok  wood,  proved  fatal  to  Major  Holmes  and 
severely  wounded  Captain  Desha,  the  next  in 
rank.  This  misfortune  threw  that  part  of  the 
line  into  eonfusion,  from  which  it  was  found  im- 
possible toTceover  it.  As  the  only  method  left 
of  annoying  the  enemy,  Colonel  Croghan  order- 
ed  a  obarge  to  be  made  on  his  front  by  the  regu«> 
iars.  Th«  enemy  was  thus  driven  back  into  the 
woods,  from  which  an  annoying  fire  was  kept  up 
by  the  Indians.  Lieiit.  Morgan  brought  up  a 
light  piece  to  relieve  the  left  which  was  sttflTer- 
iiw  from  a  galling  iire  ;  the  excellent  practice  of 
tfi£i  piece  brought  the  enemy  to  fire  at  a  longer, 
distance.  " 

Cdi  Croghan  finding  the  position,  from  which 
the  enemy  was  driven  not  tenable,  he  determin- 
ed not  to  continue  to  expose  his  men  to  a  danger^ 
from  which  no  good  result  could  bo  expected.-^ 
He  tiierefbre  oraered  a  retreat  to  the  shipping. 

Sailing-master  Cfaamplin,  whose  vessel,  the 
Tigress,  feH  into  the  handy  of  the  enemy,  and 
who,  wUti  his  crew,  were  prisoners  at  Miehili- 
maekinao«  arrived  at  Erie  in  November.  Capt. 
Arthur  fllnelaip,  covnmanding  the  United  States* 
navat  fiire«  on  tlie  supper  iakes,  states,  in  a  letter 
to  tlie^  secretary  of  tlie  navy^  on  die  authority  of 
saillng^ma^er  Champlin,  that,  <«  the  conduct  of 
the  enemy  to  our  prisoners,  (the  crew  of  the  Tiw 
gross)  thus  captnred,  asMl  the  irihun^an  butchery 
of  those  who  fell  into  their  bands,  at  the  attack 
of  Maokinaok,  has  been  barbarous  beyond  a  pa* 


.'    '»] 


try  A 

r'   .    i1 


S'-m 


fc% 


«^ 


■TSTOKT  «t  «n  WAK 


'  Mi.  ,■■.'■ /:;/-«t^^.. 


rAllcI.    llie  for rtitr  &ftV6  been  plwdnirtd  of  al* 
most  every  artiele  flif  elotliinc  tlH^y  potMned.j 
the  laUer  had  tlii^  iMlirfft  and  IWors  lakem  oal, 
>vbiek  wer«  actually'  eooked  and  featted  oai  ily 
tbe  lavaeeg,  and  that  too  ki  the  qaartert  lOf  tihe 
British  oSeers,  saiielioned  hj  Col.  M«Do«sall/' 
.    The  British  army,  uader  General  Drumniowl, 
rjbcing  eonsidcrably  reinforeed,  thero  appeared  an 
^absolute  neeeiaity  to itrengthen  iliat  ander.fidh» 
'  Urowb^  and  to  make  sneh  a  dlvelvioaiii^ieo-ope- 
^^rationta^  woljld  draw  olf  the  enemy  fn»n  Uio 
^Wighbouthood  of  Fort  Friey  or  eOmpol  hin  to 
'  surrender.    A  vigordus  attack  onfKin^toafBaiity 
if  made^  pr^lQee  the  first  of  these  enrcts  ;  the 
I  throwing  of  a  large  force  into  the  rear  of  Gen. 
r'I)rutninottd,  might  have  the  latter  oflbet.    Gen. 
.^  Izahl.  niarebdd  mm  Plattflbargfa»  about  atheist 
^iSeptember»  with  a  large- Ibr^,  l^hielif  fornieda 
junetlton  with  pen.  Brown»  about  the  iSAhiOclo. 
,  ber;  thus  bavingy  unfbrtunittely,  oeenj^ed'niMPe 
Ahail  40  ditiys  In  peribrmhig  ii  jouk*ney^  oT^SBS 
uules  by  land,  anti  a  v^ge  of  ^  miles  hy^watcr 
r^totatdiBtauce  from  l4att»burgfa  to  Blaek  Roek, 
3^3  miles.  ''i4^^9^w\m--fnsu\t:xti,,- 

.  The  slow  movement  of  Oen.  Izardfa  army, 
l^ayeto  the  enemy  the  time  neeessai^  to  equip 
the  Ttew  ship  St.  Lawrence^  of  90  (^s^  lately 
bsiilt  at  Kingston.  The  British  Heet^lvllfc  t^is 
big  ship,  at^peared  tfflT  Niagara,  theCdNovem- 
^  ^hert  ana  gave  to  the  enemy  the  eott^itiiMl  of  kike 
Ontario,  by  which  General  BrutaimondaOiild  be 
reinfofeed  or  taken  ofl^  if  iteeessairy.  -Ilaiso 
enabled  the  enemy  to  threaten  '8aeket%>  iHar- 
hour ;  and  Gen.  Browtr  wai  ot«dei^  to  the  de- 
fence of  the  Earbdur^  tNitlo|(lSeniicwdineoin- 
mandatEne.  '  !  >^i*=;i»|fitirii-^  4« 


** 


m 


rsr 


\ 


BltTORT  Ol  Ta&  WAB» 


2C7 


Tk6  fimpali^  in  the  noiglibourliood  of  Niaga- 
ra nMitt^  from  the  Utcncss  of  the  leason*  be 
^kawiogto  a'Clbse;  it  appeared  to  G^ii.  Izard» 
that  hit  armjr  ooiild  not  remain  in  lafety  at  Krie^ 
the  Ibit  wat  therefore  destroyed,  and  the  army 
o#oited  toSuflBiloey  where  it]took  up  winter-quar- 
teri.  .'*■  •■<.••• 

The  army  left  at  Platt«burgh«  after  the  march 
of  Gen.  Izardy  waft  very  weak  ;  the  command 
dvroWod  on  General  Macomb.  The  enemy  cm- 
braeed'tbts  opportofiity  for  making  ah  incursion 
Into  the  ttMe  of  New-York*  on  the  tide  of  Lake 
Champlfttni  with  a  view  to  ^cure  a  strong  posi* 
tionat€lrown  Fointy*  or  Tieonderoga*  previous 
to  f^oiogrtttto  winter-quarters  ;  and  ultimately, 
i»  eo-opor»to  with  an  ar|ny»  that  was  to  invdae 
tlielitate-  of  New«>YoL^^«  or  Conoeeticut,  on  the 
ii»«bo«rdf|  .and:  thus  elTcet  the  ^at  object  of 
<b«/Btitlsk  govcrnmemt»  |he  political  separation 
•Cth#«ast«m  firom  the  southern  states.  ^ 

*,  Ocaoral  Sir  ^George  Prevost,  eoromanded  the 
Britiah  land  forces,  destined  for  this  servlcoy 
cwMistlagt  of  foiir  brigades,  eaeh  comnianded  by 
a  major-grneral  of  experience  ;  a  light  squadron 
•f  dragoons,  and  !in  immense  train  of  artillery, 
and  ail  the  engintos  of  war  ;  the  entire  amount- 
ing to  4^#000  nven.  While  tlie  troops  advanet^d 
by  latid^  ilie  fleet,  apparently  sni>erior  to  the 
Amaricfan,  advan<iedW  water.  Tu  resist  this 
overwhelming  fontb,  Uen.Mabombhad  but  1500 
Hfeetives.  ^lo-aid  of  this  small  force,  the  militia 
wia»hastilffjissemlded.  -  ^  «"« 

t.rTlierBrillBh^^eraor-gencral  entered  the  itr* 
titoiiy  of  Ihe^ United  Slates,  on  the  Ist  September, 
11844^  andrixod  bb  liead-quarters  at  tke  vlllaige 
of  Champlain  ;  from  which,  he  eoiambneed  an 
attack,  by  promises  and  threats^  on  the  ciUatens 


1  '-•'■' . 


j?»a 


■•»  ri 


268 


BISTOFiY   OV  THE   WAB. 


■,.''■'     ■>•  fl.  iv'i'       ills*' 
■"A»  -.i»:jr,  ■'..",;;■■  ■.V,^v'4 


'^■.W 


bf  (he  United  Slates,  previous  to  the  more  seri- 
ous attaeks  mrhieh  were  to  be  simttlCaneous  by 
land  and  water,  and  weve  efiectualJy  to  over- 
throw all  opposition  on  haiiu 

On  I  tie  2d,  the  BHtish  army  marched  from 
Champlain  ^  on  the  .5th|  il'  appeared,  in  full 
force,  before  tlie  village  of  Platfsburgh.  No 
s»doner  was  the  intention  of  the  enemy  dtscover- 
odii  than  the  militia  was  called  out :  those  of  the 
county  of  Clinton  assembled  on  the  ad  8eptem« 
ber,  near  the  village  of  Chazy,  where  they  took 
a  position,  under  command  of  Lieut.  €oL  Mlllei*. 
On  the  following  day.  Gen.  Wright  took  apposi- 
tion with  his  brigade,  seven  mUes  inadvaneeef 
Plattsburgh.  On  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 
Col.  Appling,  who  was  placed  with  his  command 
on  the  lake  road,  fell  back  to  Doad-ereek,  where 
he  posted  himself,  and  impeded  the  approach  of 
the  pursuers  so  much  by  bloeking  up  theiiassbge, 
ishat  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  alter  his  eourto 
toward  the  Bieekmantown  road.  On  the  morning 
of  the  6th,  the  advance  of  the  enemy  attacked 
the  militia,  about  700,  under  6eitera(  Mooers, 
and  a  small  detachment  of  regulars  comradnded 
by  Major  Wool.  Unfortunately,  a  part  of  the 
militia  broke  and  fled,  the  remainder^  t0(^tber 
with  the  regulars,  made  &  bold  and  masterly  op- 
position, retiring  slowly  and  regularly  before  a 
large  force  for  six  miles,  when  they  were  rein- 
forced within  a  mile  of  Plattsburgh  by  a  CapCaiii 
JLeonard  aud  a  few  men  with  two  pieces  6f  ar- 
tillery. This  force,  by  taking  advantage  of  the 
cover  of  a  stone  wall,  made  a  stand  mid  eheeked 
the  progress  of  the  enemy,  until  over|ioworeft  by 
superior  numbers,  it  retired,  as  before^  tlowlyi 
dealing  death  among  the  enemy,  until  it  reaeh« 
•d  the  south  bank  of  the  Saiaimffi^;4^^e{fiitliiQ 


A*'.        ^ 


m 


.«■■-> 


niSTOBT  01  THE  VTXtt, 


269 


}mrsuiMf  ^he^  ien«*Hy  ^as  effeotiiiitly  eboeked#^ 
and  lie  forced  to  retire.    From  tliis  tiaie  tintil' 
the  morning  that  was  to  deeide  the  fate  of  Piatts- 
burgh  aiid  porha][>t  of  Albaajr^  contir^ued  skir- 
mtshiag  ^a»  kept  up>  each  party  preparing  itseir 
ibrtbe  bloocfy  eoniliet.    The  enemy  occupied  an 
extent  <>f  about  three  railed^  he  erected  seven 
iiea^  batteries  and  fhi^y  supplied  himself  ^ith' 
aU  the  Hsnai  means  ofattaek.    l^e  Americans' 
W^ere    engaged    in  annoying    the    enemy    and 
stfon^enhig  their  own  worhs;    The  ilth  was' 
flsed  on  for  the  attlteic  by  land  and  water.    At 
qine  in  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  enem^r's 
flotilla  on  Lake  Champlain^  passed  Cttmbefland-^ 
hi^adL    It  oonsisted  of  one  frigate  of  3"2  guns,  ond' 
brigof  22  guns^  tw^  sloops  oflO  guns  each,  and 
se^eriyi  galieysv    H^he  American  fleet  lay  In  Cuni'-' 
boHand  bay^  opposite  Plattsbiirgh.     The  enemy, 
supcrioi*  in  Tessels,  ]s^nsf  and  number  of  men^ - 
advanced  with  that  eonfidenee»  which  his  sape- 
rioi'ity  of  ferecy  inspired  ^  and  the  bloody  con- 
flict ,bc;gaat '  ^Goin.  Thomas  Macdonough  com- 
manded tb^<  Amcirican  flotilla.    Undanntody  he^ 
waited  theE.  attack,  trusting  in  the  heroism  of  a^ 
little  band,;  which  seenied  det^rmiiiedto  eonqudr^ 
or  die.    For  t%vo  hours  and  fifteen  ntinntcs,  Ihio^ 
contest  wa^maftttained,  with  an  ob^tkiacy  whieht 
whil»it  added- to,  or  rather  perfected  the  re- 
ii/OM'ii^lpea^aieqnirediiy  the  American  seamen, 
did  not  disgrace  the  vanquished.    IVlodesf  y  seems 
to  baa  quality  highly  possessed  by  the  navat 
cominandoift  in  the  United  States.    Tlie  fdl low- 
ing Jbconio^  letteir,  written  to  the  secretary  of  the^ 
ii|L¥y»  by  Gom.  Macdondugb^  is  at  once  a  piroof  of 
modesty,  alid  a  notice  of  succcssU'^  •'*•'**  '  nM^^-ili 

«"T^c  Armiglitf  has  l?^ecn  pleased  to  grant  us  a* 
Mg.ifia)  Victory  on  Lake  Champlain,  in  the  capture  of 

X  2. 


*<i 


270 


HISTOET   or   TUlS   WARS' 


w 


one  frigfttC)  one  brigi  and  two  sloops  of  war^  of  the 
enemy." 

The  Amerieaa  galleys  i^ere  about  pursuing 
those  of  the  cuemyf  that  were  making  their  es- 
eaiie,  but,  it  being  discovereil*  that  all  the  vessels 
were  in  a  binking  state,  it  beoaine  necessary  to 
s^nnul  the  signal  to  ohase^  and  order  the  men 
from  tiie  galleys  to  the  pumps.  <<  I  could  only,^' 
observed  Com.  Maedonougb,  «  look  at  the  ene- 
ni>'s  galleys  going  off  i«  a  sliattered  eoiidltioii^ 
for  there  was  not  a  mast  io  either  squadron  (4ukt 
could  stand  to  make  sail  trtk ;  the  lower  rigging 
being  nearly  all  shot  away»  hiMg  down  as  though 
it  had  been  jusi  plaeed  over  the  ma^t-heads.^' — 
"  The  Saratogaf''  continued  the  Commodore^ 
«  hskd Jlfly-Jive  round  shot  in  her  luiU ;  the  Con- 
fanue,  (enemy's  vessel)  one  hundred  amd  JiveJ* 

The^- following  is  a  comparative  view  of  the 
number  and  strengtu  'tf  the  vessels  engagedyand 
the  loss  on  board  them.  t^p.*'-  k^-^ 

■4m       ^^-  ^"^        Gun».Mhx:J^iledjraiinded. 

Ship  Saratoga    ^   '^' 

Brig  Eagle 

Schooner  Ticondcroga 

Sloop  Preble       ,^ 

T«n  Gun^Boata  '^^ 

■'.'•♦»*ft*5fc4  Total* 

J^rigate  Confianee 
Brig  Linnet 


26-- 
SO 
17 


120' 

no 

so. 


4Ui^4Sttti>$SO 


33 
13 

3n-" 


i2# 

20 


*i  tJ 


9f 

BtllTISK. 


1^0     >?     ..,1^^ 


Chub  (formerly  Growle?)  11 
Finch  (formerly  Eagle)  11 
THffteen  Gun-boats  .      >  18 


300 

120 

40 

40 

560 


SO- 
90 

t 


do 

3(> 

10 


■  m 


r:i!i 


HISTORY   OF  THE   WAB.^ 


25'! 


At  tbo  game  hour  that  the  fleets  engaged^  the 
enemy  opened  his   batteries  on   the   Ameriean' 
forts*  throwing  hundreds  of  shells,  balls,  and 
roeketai;  and  attempted,  at  the  saihe  time,  to 
cros&Ihe  Saranaeriver*  at  three  dilFepent  point^^' 
to  assauit  the  American  works.    At  the  uppei* 
fordy  he  was  met  by  the  Vermont  volunteers  and 
NoW'¥ork   militia.    }l«re  a   most    interesting 
eonftiet  took  place  ;  on  the  one   side,  the*  bent 
troops  of  Britain^  led  on  by  her  most  consnm*' 
miM  officers^  men  and  cheers  selected  froiH 
those  soldiers,  who   under  the  command  of  the 
Bake  «f  Wellington,  had  acquired  the  eharat^i^ 
ter  of^  inviAcible^-'  men  who  had  eonquered 
in  Port«pK(,  Spaio,  France^  and  the  Indies^  on 
the  other   Me,  men  not  reared  to  arms,  not 
used  to  b0.<#t«,  most  of  them  born  since  their 
sires  had  immortalized  themselves  in   coml^at 
en  this  same   gfround,  the  descendants  of  the' 
«  Qrecn  Mountain-boys"  and  of  those   heroes 
who  conquered  at  Saratoga^  he.     The  object  of 
cente.st  was  great ;  on  it     was,    probably,   te 
hang;,eyepy  future  event  of  the  war.    't^  be  ene* 
my  fought  for  the  recovery  of  a  territc  \  whiob 
wou]d  make  lus  king  the  most  po.»D)*f;!   ntra9e 
in  the  world  ;  the  officers   looked  ^  >  ^daees  of 
emolument,   peastons,  grants  of  H^g^^  titles  <^f 
nolulily,  stars,  garters,  ribbands,  pf  imder  ;  hin^ 
our$  and  riehes  lb  a  thou^^a^  •h«|i«9t  ai^d  forms  r 
the   honest   American    yeoeien  soa^t   neither 
pay  nor  peeuniary  reward,  beyond  the  daily  sti 
pendof  a  soldier*     Bat  yesterday,  they  were  ar 
their  ploughs,  today,  they  gras|)ed  their  rfikay 
and  hurried  to  the  threshold  of  theii'  eouot^y'-* 
their  ultiuiate  reward  was  to  be  a  c*»firRiatloir» 
of  the  liberties  entailefl  on  them  by  their  sires^ 
a  ooiiiinuunec  of  that  iodependenee  the^  were 


mi 


M 

tii'-v-.      -lit 


H'. 


*l:,: 


pa 

K    -I- ■';■■' 


■  ^ -■■.*:■ 


^'' 


.■.■* 


^ 


fi 


■'^■"'l*-  .4',*' 
;''V'4;'i\-'.  ■ 


J.  ■•*■■■. 


Wi 


,.-W|      ■•. 


!aar^ 


idi' 


TORt  OF  THE    VtAU^ 


deter ikiified  to  preserve  or  not  to  sur?iye,.  Tht 
conftiot  "^vas  in^ueuoed  bj  feelings  which  drew 
tbrtli  the  utmost  exertions  ot*  boUi  partie s^^  and 
snjiistituted  desperation  on  one  sidey  and  unbend- 
ing patriotism  on  the  other,^  in  place  of  ihat  i». 
difierence  or  cowardice^  whieh  so  often  laads 
to  disaster  and  disgrace.  Several  times  were 
the  enemy  repulsed,  several  times  did  he  re- 
tiirn  to  the  ford  ;  astonished  at  this  •bstinatc 
resistance)  from  woodsmen^  suddenly  assemjiLed 
on  the  occasion,  the  enemy  yet  believed  they 
must  give  way  :  again  he  advances*  s^un  h«^is 
repulsed-  astonished,  confounded^  dismayed,  lie 
retires  :  no  longer  invincible,  be  acknowledges 
detHt— defeat  from  whom  ?  Ijet  Wellington's 
men  answer  ;  or  let  them  send  for  a  repiy  tor 
the  moimtains  of  Vermont,  or  the  wilderness 
of  New- York.  At  the  bridge  near  the  village, 
he  was  repulsed  by  tit?  pickets,  and  the  brai^ 
ridemen,  under  Captain  Grosvenor,  and  Lieuten- 
ants Hamilton  and  Biley  ;  and,  aft  the  bridge  in 
the  town,  he  was  foiled  by  the  guards,  bloek- 
houses*  and  the  arti'tery  of  the  forts,  served  hf 
Qaptains  Alexander  Brooks,  Hiehards  and  Smitli^ 
and  Lieutenants  Munford,  Smith  and  Cromwell* 
The  enemy's  fire  was  returaed  with  effect  from 
the  battciies ;  by  sun-set,  seven  of  bis  newly 
calsed  batteries  were  sileuced,  and  he  was  seen 
retiring  to  his  eantp.  Beaten  by  land,  a»d  by 
water,  the  British  governor-general  withdrew 
his  artinery,Aad  raised  the  8ieg<;.  Under  favoar 
of  a  dairk  night,  he  sent  off  his  beav^  baggage, 
and  i^etreated  with  his  whole  army  towaids  Ca- 
nada»  leavii^  hb  wounded  in  tho  field,  and  a 
Yast  quantity  of  provisions,  and  munitions  of 
war^  which  he  had  not  tino  to  destroy.  Th« 
U^i   troops>    volunteers  and  luilitiii^  pur»u«i 


m 


XIISTOBT  OT  THE  VAft. 


zn 


him  .on  the  follbwirip^  ^  ^'  cnpturirg  several  sol- 
diersy  and  covering  acape  of  a  great   num- 

ber of  deserters  :  .  weather  prevented  the 
pursuit  to  be  continued  beyond  Ch'azj.  Thus 
have  14>0X)0  regulars,  with  the  best  British  offi« 
Qers,  and  the  belt  military  equipment,  lieen  bea- 
ten by  a  regular  force  of  only  1500  men,  and 
':ibO(i  militia  and  volunteers ;  the  militia  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Mooers,  and  the  volunteers  by 
Gen.  Strong.  The  enemy  having  retired  from 
repuhtican  ground,  the  militia  and  volunteers 
weiiB  dismissed.  _  •  •      ■    l^^ ;     ,^  j/'^ 

The  ofBcial  return  of  thc1««s 'o1fAe*AimeVl-' 
can  regulars,  nmonn ted  to  one  subaltern,  one  ser- 
geant, one  musician,  and  S4<  privates  killed — total 
57  ;  2  subalterns,  I  serjeaht-major,  4  Serjeants^ 
S  eorporais,  4^  musicians,  and  49  privates  wound- 
ed—total  6Z  ;  total  killed^  wounded  and  missingfl 
119. 

General  MiComb  states  the  loss  of  the  ene- 
my on  the  land  and  lake,  at  not  less  than  2b00 
men. 

While  glory  an^  victorv  attended  the  armies 
of  the  United  States,  the  navy  continued  in- 
creasing its  number  of  victories,  and  private 
armed  v^.^sela  carried  destru<'tion  to  the  enemy 
in  every  sea.  Even  in  the  British  Channel,  the 
enemy  felt  that  his  thousand  ships  of  war  could 
not  bring  safety  to  his  traders.  Insurance  to 
cross  the  channel,  I'ose  from  a  few  shillings  to 
five  guineas  (S-23,75)  per  cent. 

In  lat.  27,'  47,  N.  Ion.  80,  9,  on  the  29th  April, 
1814,  the  XT.  S.  sloop  of  war  Peacock  fell  in 
with  his  Uriiannie  54ajesty's  brig  Epervier,  ra- 
ting and  mounting  18  S2  pound  carronades,  with 
1^8  men.  The  Epervier  struck  her  colours  af- 
ter m  actttm  of  42  minute^:;  and  the  loss  of  eight 


m 

1^  ..  •..v 


''■'I'*'?*! 


&^ 


m 


'':::i 


ra  'lip  vM . 


-«'j:i'ii''S.^ 


>!     .,•'.,    ■;•■■      l''  A/a:  ''ft 


j:r4 


mfTOHT  OF  TUB  WAV. 


nien  killed^  And  15  wounded.  Twometi  Wero 
slightly  wounded  on  board  the  Peacock.  Both 
tes^eHa  arrived  at  Savannah,  the  prize  helog 
with  difilouity  kept  above  water.  The  dtoB|;e 
iii^re4  by  the  two  ve'sselsy  will  be  ^e^uhr  the 
Ibilowbg  extract  from  the  official  report  of  Ca^t 
Warrini^on. 

'  ^  ThU(the  disabling  of  a  fore-yard)  With  a^f^Vr 
tpp-mastSf  and  top-gallant  back  stays  cut  awajr,  a  fe\v 
^hot  through  our  sailsf  is  the  only  injury  the  Vti" 
9pck  l^as  sustained.  Not  a  round  shor  toucli^our 
hull ;  our  masts  and  spars  are  as  f^ound  iiiS  ev^.-^ 
When  the  enemy  struckt  he  had  i*ve  feet  water  in 
his  hold)  his  main  top-masts  was  over  tho  al^ie,  his 
main  boom  shot  away,  his  fore-mast  cut  nearly  in 
tWOy  and  tottering)  his  fore  rigging  and  stays  shqta* 
Way,  his  bow-sprit  bad!y  woutidedj  and  45  shot  holes 
ill  his  hul),  ^O  of  which  were  within  a  foot  pf  his 

WAter^Itne.    ;■     '    Vii'^  l^dg  l^ixa-rt     ,gV^    \h^--l»of»<%W  ^'-i 

!^,.;  The  Epervier  h^d  120.00Q  dollars  in  speciey 
oti  board. 

^  Hie  UoHed  States'  sloop  of  war  Frolic,  Jo- 
seph Bainbridge  commander,  was  captured,  af- 
I6t  aeha^  by  his  B.  IfL.fH^ale  Orpheus  o]r 36 
glins,  on  the  ^th  April*  A  coni't  of  inquiry, 
held  on  board  the  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  at 
New -York,  the  20th  Apr?!,  1^6,  gave  their 
l>pinion,  «  that  the  same  was  not  lost,  through 
the  fault,  inattention  or  negligence  of  C^pts^m 
Bakibridge.*^  The  coyrt  also  reported  favoura- 
bly on  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Ifrolic, 

His  Britannic  majesty's  sloop  of  wai?  Reiji- 
deer,  wHS  captMred  the  2Sth  June,  18i4,  in  lat. 
48,  36  N«  and  lon.  11, 15  W.  by  the  U.  S.  sloop 
6f  war  Wasp,  (l^apt.  J.  BlaktSy.  Tlic  action 
coBinien«ied.at^  minutes  after  i  P.  M»  i^t  4^ 


AI$T0£T.OV  TUB  WAIt 


StYB 


Joek.    Both 
^rize  belbg 

ortbfCant 

Ttawa^,  afe,^ 

ary  the  Rfca.. 
t6wAie&-  our 
as  ev^..^ 
cet  irater  in 

the  skic^  his 
cut  nearlj*.  in 
I  suiys  shpta* 
45  shot  holes 

fs  in  speciey 

p  Froific,  Jo- 
eapturea,  af- 
ppliciisqir  36 
;  of  in^ilrj, 

gave  ftelp 
^bU  tbrdukli 
V  ofCj^ptain 
ted  favQura- 

crew  of  the 

War  Rei^i- 

^i4,  inlat. 

t.S.  sloop 

TIic  action 


mioytey  past  09  the  enemy  was  carried  \^y  board** 
log*  The  aoiiooy  for  the  short  iimt  ft  lasted 
was  8eyere»  and  both  vessfcis  and  cre^irs  snflTered 
fiODsiderabl^.  The  loss  on  board  the  Wasp,  vf&i 
pinc^pally  Qcoasioned  by  repelling  the  enemy, 
in  two  attempts  wbicb  he  made  to  board.  The 
Reindeer  m(iunted  16  ^-pound  earronadesv  t«d 
long  6  or  9-pounders»  and  a  shifting  12-pound 
isarroQadey  witli  a  complement  of  11 8  picked 
men,  caUed«  from  their  appearance,  the  <*  prid6 
of  Plymouth*"  The  Reindeer  was  Jiterally  cut 
4o  fuecea*  and  so  complete  a  wreck,  in  botb  hull 
and  riggings  that  Hvas  iound  neoessai^  to  de- 
stroy ker.  Her  commander,  (William  Mannerfl, 
Esq*)  and  22  petty  officers  and  seamen,  ivere 
killed  ;  wounded  dangerously,  10;  severely,  t7  ; 
slightly.  Id — total  killed  and  wounded^  7^.      ^  r. 

On  board  the  Wasp,  there  were  5  hilled^  and 
21  wounded.  Six  round  shot  struck  the  bull  of 
tbe  Wasp  ;  a2^-pound  shot  passed  through  the 
fore  nvistjt  and  a  considerable  number  of  grape 
struck,  but  did  not  penetrate  her  sides.  Tfas 
Wftsp  arrived  at  L'Orient  the  8th  July.  * 

Tim  Wasp  sailed  ft*om  L'Orient  on  the  ^7i^ 
August.  At  half  past  nine  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  ilt 
September,  engaged  a  vessel,  supposed  to  be  a 
lai^ge  brig  of  war,  and  forced  her  to  strike  her 
dcg,  at  12  minutes  past  ten.  In  a  few  minutesy 
Capt.  plakelv  discovered  another  brig,  and  pre** 
naied  for  action ;  at  dtf  minutes  past  10,  two  brigs 
in  sight,  when  the  Waup  was  compelled  to  rO» 
luHiuish  her  prize.  TIm^  Wasp  Init  two  men  kill- 
ed, and  hud  one  man  wounded.  The  enemy,  a& 
terhis  surrender,  was  heard,  asking  assistance* 
and  said  he  was  sluicing.  The  enemy's  vessel 
proved  afterwards  to  bo  the  Avon,  ily  tha 
Brlti^  details,  it  was  ackiiowledgcdi  thjit  the 


!L'u 


■fe;'  :; 


«*? 


.'.„i;'.rf.»'.i'  ■ 


ill  :■■-■;:■.  : 
y  '.■■"*Wj..iK' 


■.■,Ws 


•'"li.*;*: 


U' 


si 


'..^i 


:#. 


It 


'■M 

-?' 

.,«-;f 

^    .  ,/i; 

•">  f' 

■•■   •■;»• 

m 


mwrORT  ^aS  TAX   WAS. 


r 


two  TOMelft  wliioh  came  ki  tfid  of  the  Atov^ 
were  the  Castilian  and  Tartaniflyeaoliiof  them 
of  force  equal  to  the  Wasp.  The  Avon  went 
to.  the  boUoni,  afteir  the  surnvingjiart  of  ]ber 
OFew  was  removed  on  board  the  other  PritWli 
ressels.  The  ^Avon  was  in  the  Delaware  ia 
1810  i  bhe  theto  carried  18  32-poUnd  earrobades^ 
besidf^s  bow  and  stern  guns.  .     v 

Th0  Essex,' Capt.  Pqrtery  the  smallest  frigate 
in  the  American  navy^  was  destined  to  pro¥a  imv 
mens^ly  injurious  to  the  enemy.  Her^opaisein 
the  Paoifie  ocean  has  supplied  ample  noiierials 
for  an  interesting  volume*  Capt.  Poi*toniiot  on* 
ly  pr^cted  the  American  shipping  agaiiiit' the 
numerous  inters  of  niarque,  whioh  tiMi  enemy 
had  {(en t  into  those  seas,  but  rendered  these 
\ery  letters  of  marque  trU>utary  to  his  plan  of 
destroying  the  enemy's  trades  partieularly  in  the 
fisheries.  ■' 

'  Capt.  Porter^  sailed  li'om  the  Bckivaret  the 
27th  October  1S12.  On  bis  paasfigie  to  ^fiio 
de  JaneriOy  he  oikpti\«ed  the  British  Apa|)li^t 
!^^orton,  and  took  uut  of  ,hei*  11,000  poiuids  iter- 
Hng,  ih  spr<ile.  !^e  arrived  at  Vakiarakoon 
th)B  14th  March,  ISfld,  where  he  bb^ineda^faU 
supply  of  provisiomi. ,  He  then  ran  ^own^aloiig 
the  coast  of  Chili  and  Peru,  fell  In  witlk  aPe^ 
ruviaa  corsair,  whieh  had  on  board  ^l^^i- 
eans,  the  ereWs  of  two  whaltl  shlfps  she  haiKap* 
taJhedon  the  coast;  he  thr^w  the  gims  aiid  am- 
tiitiiiitidn  of  the  eorsair  iihto  the  sea,  liberated 
t^  Americans,  and  afterwards  re- captured  <one 
ik'  the  vessels^  asishe  was  entering  we  port  of 
i»ima. 

From  Lima,  Capt.  Furlcp  proceeded  fbr  the 
Galli[iigos  Iftlandfl.  Il^hffe  among  tl4s  group 
of  islandsy  lie  oaptut^  the  fblNi^ing  Bi^kh 


•I-  !*-;%:?  ■  .-  -•   ^ 


■IdTORT  09  THE  WAt. 


iff 


iibips,  (leUers  of  marque)  employed  ehieQy  in 
the  Spermaceti  whale  fishery. 

Tons.  Men.  Gum.  Pierced  fo^ 


\V1   '\ 
« 1  <  t 


Vu« 


Mo^tezenma 

Gtorgiuna     ^^    * 
Grefcnwith    '^'^^^  *'» 
Atlantic        . 

Hector  <♦;  «:^  ^^^>.  —  *? 
rathtrine  fH  >*Hv 
Stringupatar*  '5?'*  - '** 
CiiariM)!!  '      :^    > 

Ncw-Zealander  •  n-  ; 
Sir  A*  Hfidnmond^f  .: 


270 
175 
280 
388 
355 
220 
270 
270 
357 
274 
259 
301 


21 

26 

25 

25 

24 

21 

25 

39 

31 

21 

23 

31 


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80 

8   ^^^'-  ■!«'."■ 
14  26 

10  '^.  r'  18 

8     *v--'lif='-:- 
12    .1    .18 

34  j6  303    107       *    jr  »,  >♦ 


i- 


The  Atlantic  received  the  new  name  of  t|id 
£88607  Junior^  was  et|uipped  with  20  guiiSs  and 
hfi*  command  given  to  Lieut.  Doyvns.       ^  ^      : 

Lieut.  Downs  convoyed  some  of  the  prizes  to 
Valpi^raiso ;  and  Capt.  Porter  on  the  return  of 
Li<:ut.  Ilowns.  proceeded  with  the  other  prices  to 
the  Island  of  Nooaheevah,  where  he  oyet  hauled 
his  sliip,  tuok  on  board  a  Hupplj  of  provisions^ 
and  sailed  for  the  coast  of  Chili,  on  the  I2tli 
J)e«.'eml»er,  1815. 

(Previous  to  sailing  from  NooaheeVah,  he  se** 
euved  his  prizes  under  <he  guns  of  a  batti^ryy 
whi^h  he  erected  for  their  protection,  and  lefi 
the  hatt^ry  in  charge  of  LieUt.  Guiuble.  and  31 
marines,  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Valparaiso^, 
atVer  fe  certain  period*  A  friendly  intercourse 
way  est^hlisihed  with  the  natives;  ami  the  island 
t4lljLen  {[ibssession  ol^,  in  the  name  of  the  United 
iB^tes?  Qe  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Chili  tho 
iith  Jfaiiuary,  1314.  ,  ,      , 


■x 


fr6 


HJSTOHT  OF  THE  Tf  AH. 


m 


m4 


hil 


1)1.)  t        ***"y^t.-.'  vi 


mi'/ 


i-"^'^:' 


M 

Iff  ,:)■'. 


Tlif^  cnptaiQ  dt'tailei!  iiis  success  in  the  folloli^ 
ing  Mords : 

^  «  I  had  completely  broke  up  the  Bri''sh  navig^a- 
tion  in  the  Pacific;  the  ve&sels  which  jU»)d  not  been 
captured,  were  laid  up,  and  dared  not  venture  c  ut. 
The  valuable  whale  fishery  there,  is  entirely  de- 
&»troy&d,  and  the  actual  injury  wc  have  done  theni| 
may  be  estimated  at  two  and  a  half  millions  of  dol- 
lars, independent  of  expenses  of  vessels  in  search 
of  me.  They  have  furnished  me  amply  with  sails, 
cordage,  cables,  anchors,  provisions,  medicines,  and 
stores  of  every  description :  and  the  ^tops  on  board 
them  have  furnished  clothing  for  the  seamen.  We 
had,  in  fact,  lived  on  the  enemy  since  I  had  been  in 
that  sea,  every  prize  having  proved  a  vfnU  found 
store-slup  for  me.  I  had  not  been  under  the  neces- 
sity of  drawing  bills  on  the  department  for  any  ob- 
ject and  had  been  enabled  to  make  considerable  ^d« 
vanccs  to  my  officers  and  crew  on  account  of  pay.'* 

^  After  arriving  at  Yalparaiso,  be  found  liiin* 
>$t^If  blockaded  by  two  British  ships  ;  tbe  Pbogi* 
l)e>  Coin.  Miilyaryearrying  30  long  AS-pounderSf 
IC  32  pound  earronades,  one  howitzer,  and  six 
ihree-puunders  in  (he  tops^  and  a  complement  of 
320  mt  n ;  and  the  Cherub,  mounting  28  guns,  and 
baving  a  oomplcment  of  180  men  ;  making,  to- 
getlier,  8i  guns,  and  500  men.  The  force  of  I  be 
£ssex  was  46  guns,  40  32- pound  earronades,  and 
six  long  12's,  her  crew  amounted  to  256  men.-- 
Ttie  Essex- Junior  mounted  20  guns,  10  18- 
pound  earronades,  and  10  short  6%  with  only 
60  men  on  board. 

Capt.  Porter  baving  sougtit  in  vain  to  bring 
•n  an  action  with  any  one  of  the  enemy,  bad  i^b- 
solved  on  putting  to  sea,  in  the  hope  of  out-sail- 
ing them.  On  the  28tb  March,  1814,  during 
a  fresh  blow  of  wind,  the  Essex  parted  ber  lar- 
IxDard  cable,  and  draggejl  the  starboard  anchor 


BiSTOmT    07  THE   WAR. 


fr^ 


n  the  fo!lo1ic 


^ireoHy  io  sea.  Finding  himself  in  this  situa- 
tiony  he  hoisted  sail,  and  got  under  way.  Oa 
rounding  a  point  of  land,  a  heavy  squall  struck 
the  ship)  and  carried  away  her  main  (op-masty 
preoipifating  the  men  who  were  aloft,  into  tho^ 
sea.  Being  chased  hy  the  two  enemy's  ships, 
and  unahte  to  gain  his  former  anchorage,  lie  rau 
close  into  a  small  hay,  ahout  three  quarters  of  a 
wile  to  leeward  of  the  battery,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  harbour,  and  let  go  his  auclior^  within  pis^ 
to!  shot  of  the  shore. 

It  was  in  this  situation,  thnth  I'ippled  ship 
and  reduecd  crew  were  attacked,  in  a  neutral 
porty  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nations,  by  two 
•lups  of  the  enemy.  The  Essex  was  carried* 
but  a  prize  has  never  been  bouglii  at  a  deareit 
rate..  The  action  lasted  nearly  two  hours  and  a 
half.  The  Cherub,  from  her  crippled  state,  was 
^inpeHed  to  haul  off,  but  continued  to  fire  at  a 
distance  from  her  long  guns.  The  Fhcehe  also 
chose^  after  suffering  considerably,  to  ftre  from  ar 
distance  with  her  long  guns,  while  the  Essex 
could  not  reach  him  with  her  carronatles.  Tlierot 
never  was  a  ship  more  cut  up  than  the  Essex, 
nor  that  suffered  more  in  men.  Seventy  men# 
including  officers,  were  all  that  remained  after 
the  action,  capable  of  doing  duty,  and  many  of 
these  severely  wounded.  i  v'^r.^.a  vj: 

^XThe  enemy  continued  firing  for  several  minutes* 
^nd  killed  and  wounded  many  *of  the  |Crew  of 
the  Essex,  after  her  colours  were  struck,  and  an 
opposite  gun- fired^  to  show  that  resistance  had 
ceased.  Capt.  Porter  conceiving  it  was  inten- 
ded to  refuse  quarter,  was  on  the  point  of  hoist- 
ing his  eolours^  and  selling  his  life  as  dear  as 
possible,  when  the  fire  of  the  euemy  ceased.—* 
The  Phcebe  was  so  cut  upi  that  she  ws^>  wittft 


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HiotograiAic 
.Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WfST  MAIN  STMET 

WIBSTfiR.N.Y.  I4SM 

(716)872-4S03 


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HISTORY  OV  THE  WAR. 


I 


fi^" 


great  dinfeulty  ivorked  Into  Valparaiso,  andJt 
jseemed  doubtfuK  wen  after  she  came  to  anckor, 
nrhether  she  could  be  repaired  so  as  to  enable 
Ler  to  double  Cape  Horn.  She  had  eighteen 
12-pound  shot  through  her,  below  her  water 
line.  Nothing  but  the  smoothness  of  the  water 
saved  her  f^om  sinking*  Had  the  Phcebe  aod 
Cherub  dared  to  come  boldly  info  ^lose  adiofty 
thejr  would  have  been  undouhtedlj  defeated^^r^ 
The  enemy's  losis  in  men  cannot  be  ascertaifieilv 
but  must  have  been  verv  severe*  That  of  the 
iEssexwas —  •,  -^'^J'-     s.  _:.  ■■^-.  .'trif    mf 

Killed,  and  hav«  (Ued  smce  of  their  wouiidsy  B9 
iSevcrely  wounded  •  -  -  •  .  59 
Slightly  wounded         .        .        .        ,  ,|^ 

i^issing        .     ^      *■,••.  ^j^^^i-^^'^ 

^',,\k,.,f,^4.^^^^..k..,-r.^  .Total  .«n.,..- ^,ii^,..i^,  IH 
It  was  agreea  between  Capt.  Porter  and  Com. 
Uillyar,  that  the  Kssex< Junior  should  be  dis- 
armed, and  employed  as  a  cartel,  to  bring  Capty 
Porter  and  his  men  to  the  United  Slates,  to  be 
there  exchanged  for  an  equal  number  of  British 
priiioaers  of  equal  rank.  On  the  5th  July,  the 
£ssex- Junior  arrived  off  New-York,  ami  was 
overhauled  by  the  British  ship  Saturn.  Capt* 
Porter,  judging  from  the  conduct  of  the  Britisli 
officer,  that  he  would  violate  the  terms,  tinder 
which  the  Essex- Junior  had  sailed,  took  to  his 
boat ;  and,  after  rowing  and  sailing  46  milest 
reached  Long-Island. 

.The  wiiiterseason»  .rendenni^-it  diffieult  anid^ 
dangerous  for  an  enemy's  fleet  to  remain  en  the 
American  coast,  to  the  northward  of  yirginiat 
It  was  conjectured  that  his  blockading  squiidreii 
would  be  moved  to  the  southward,  nor  wiis  the 
eonjecture  ill- founded,    ll  wa»  bis  iatcBtiott  ta 


nSTOBT  aw  THE  vfjm. 


.V  ■'■ 


*M 


W:     -V 


f4|[&ct  something  more  permanently  usiefuly  than 
the  robbin;^  of  private  property.    A  general  a- 
larm  prevailed  among  the  inhabitants,  partiea- 
hitly  ia  the  citie»y  along  the  sea  eoast.    It  wast 
also  ascertained^  that  great  preparations  were, 
maklngt  and  several  thousand  men   collected  ip 
tile  West-Indies^  with  the  avowed  intention  of 
invading  some  of  the  southern  states. 
'^  At  4  oMock»  F.  M.  on  the  15th  September^ 
1814,  Fbrt  Bowyer,on  Mobile  Pointy  wa«i  attaeli- 
ed  by  a  superior  British  naval  and  land  force. — 
l^he  naval  foree  was  under  command  of  Sir  If.. 
IIF.  Percy,  and  consisted  of  two  ships  f^om  ^)«  tot 
28  guns,  mounting  St  pound  oarronades ;  2  brigs 
firom  16  to  18  guns,  mounting  ^4- pound  carron- 
afdes,  and  4  tenders.    The  land  forces  consisted' 
of  100  marines  under  command  of  Col.  Niehollsr* 
a  body  of  Indians  under  command  of  Captait» 
Woodbine,  and  a  battery  of  a  12  pounder  and 
Howitzer  under  direction  of  an  ofireer  of  the  ar- 
tillery.    The  American  efiective  force  was  aboufr 
i!SO  mem  of  whom  not  more  than   90  were  eii- 
^gcd. 

At  4  p^  fir.  the  enemy's  leading  ship,  called 
^e  Hermes,  having  approached  suiBciently  near, 
the  g^ns  of  tlie  battery  opened  upon  her:  at  20^^ 
minutes  pi^st  4,  tbf  engagement  became  general*. 
Soon  after  this  time,  the  BHtish  land  forces 
were  put  toiliglit,  by  discharges  of  grape  ahd* 
cannister,  from  a  9  pounder.  At  5,  p.  m.  the* 
guiM  ofthe  Hermes  were  silenced,  and  she  drift- 
ed out,  and  grounded  within  600  yards  of  thei: 
^tterT,  Where  she  eontiniiedt<»*befiired'on,  un- 
til night*  At  sun-set  the  other  vessels  cut  their 
eables,  and  stood  on,  under  a  tremendous  fir» 
ftqm  th^  battery.     At  r  quarter  [xist  7^  ikm 


IseI 


(.i< , 


vn-- 


f" 


P 


S8t 


HISTORY   (IF  THE*WAKi 


;.''-i 


Hermes  appeared  to  be  on  fire ;  at  10  her  ma^v^ 
gaziiie  blew  up.  'i! 

•  It  was  icarnedy  fk*oni  deserters*  that  160  of  the 
crew  of  the  Hermes  were  lost,  that  7d  were  klH*^ 
ed  or  wounded  on  board  the  other  ship,  and  sev-' 
era!  on  board  the  other  vessels.  The  American 
loss  was  4  killed  and  5  wounded.  Major  WiN 
liam  Laurence  commanded  at  the  fort.  On  th«^' 
15th  the  enemy's  fleet  stood  to  sea.  t 

The  appearance  of  30  or  60  vessels  of  the  en*^ 
cmy,  in  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi*  rendered 
it  almost  certain,  that  the  city  of  New-Orleanjs 
iVould  be  all  object  of  attack.  The  advance  of 
the  enemy  was  announced*  in  general  orders*  on 
the  14th  December*  18i4>*  by  Gov.  Claiborne; 
and.  on  the  18th*  Gen.  Jackson  reviewed  the 
militia*  preparatory  to  meeting  the  enemy.— 
Martial  law  was  declared  on  the  16th.  'fhe 
Woodsmen fW)m  Louisiana*  Tennessee,  Mississippi. 
Territory*  and  Kentucky,  hastened  to  the  tfttene 
of  honour  and  glory;  and  men*  of  difi^rent  lan-^ 
gnages  and  manners,  prepared  to  emulate  each 
other  in  defence  of  a  common  country*  and  a  li* 
berty  in  which  they  alike  participated. 

On  the  13th  December*  the  enemy's  flotilhi 
gained  the  Pass  Christian*  and  was  proceedingt 
evidently  against  the  U.  S.  gun  vessel*  then  at 
HTichor  off  bay  St.  Louis.  The  gun-boats  re- 
treated, during  the  night,  to  the  MalhereauX 
Inlands*  Lsike  Borgne*  where  the  wind  and  tide 
forced  them  to  remain.  At  day-liglity  on  th^ 
15th*  the  enemy  advanced  with  42  heavy  launches 
and  gun  barges*  mounting  42  guns*  of  iS,  18*  and 
^  ealibre,and  S  light  gigs,  wnh  1200  men,  eoitf* 
^wanded  by  Captain  Locker.  '  ^^^^ 

^   At  10  minutes  betbrrli,  A.  M.  he  commene- 
«4  aa  »ttacl£  om  th«  HotUlii^   eonsistiog  of  gmf- 


UX&TORT  OfV  TU£  WAS. 


2i9^ 


boat  No/  5,  5  guns,  36  men*  sailing-master  Fer- 
ris ;  gun- boat  No.  -iS,  live  guns,  SU  men,  Lieut*. 
M*Kecvei' ;  gun-boat  No.  Id6,  five  guns,  4i  mvu,. 
Li^ut.  Jones  ;  gun-ttoa^  No.  162,  5  guns,  Sb  menr 
Lieut.  Bpeddeo  ;  and  gunboiU  No.  163,  3  gun8^ 
31  men,  sailing  master  Ulrick — total,  2b  guns, 
and  18:2  men  ;  the  entire  under  eommand  of 
Lieut.  Thus.  Ap.  Cates|ij  Jones,  of  boat  156. 

The  sloop  alligator  (tender)  of  one  four  poun- 
dor  and  eight  men,  not  being  able  to  join  the  flo- 
tilla, was  captured,  before  the  aetion  with  the 
gun -boats  commenced.  iX 

t  The  gun  boats  were  taken  in  succession,  and 
each  boat,  when  taken,  added  to  the  enmty% 
lh)e  of  attack.  The  action  continued  until  40 
minutes  past  12,  when  the  last  of  the  gun-boatft 
was  surrendered. 

^Considering  the  immense  disproportion  of  the 
j^tics,  the  action  was  sustaiiied,  on  the  part  or 
the.  Americans  with  a  skill,  bi*a very,  and  perse- 
▼eranee,  unexami)led,  even  in  the  most  spirited, 
of  the  actions  which  distinguished  the  Americair 
teamen  in  the  pi*evious  part  of  the  war.     Five 
small  vessels,  and  a  few  men,  maintaining  a  con*- 
lest  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  against  a  swarm  ot 
heavy   barges  and  gun- boats,  which  closed  and 
nearly  surrounded  them,  was  a  sight  unparallel- 
led  in  the  annals  of  naval  heroism.     The  loss  or 
the  enemy,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  estimated 
by  Lieut.  Jones,  to  exceed   300,  among  whou 
p«re  an  unusual  quantity  of  officers. 

The  capture  of  this  llotilla  gave  to  the  enemy 
a  free  eotrance  into  Lake  Poncharlrain,  exce|iit 
what  resistance  they  might  meet  from  a  6mait 
fort  commanding  the  passage  of  the  Regolettet* 

The  enemy,  having  gained  the  command  of* 
jH^Jbikes^  was  enabled  to  effect  »  passage  to  tbf 


i"^l 


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HIITORT   M  taB   WABp 


'TTT 


Mississippi,  at  a  point,  about  nine  miles  fronf 
Ncw-UrJeaos,  Gen.  Jaekson  advanced  against 
liim»  determined  to  attack  him  in  his  first  nosl* 
iion»  The  attack  was  made  in  the  night  or  the 
23d  December,  at  half  past  seven  o'clock.  It 
was  commenced  by  a  fire  from  the  schooner  Ca- 
rolincy  which  dropped  down  the  river,  In  oi*der 
to  openi>n  the  rear  of  the  camp.  This  was  tho* 
signal  for  Gen.  Coffee  to  fall  ott  the  right,  while^ 
Gen.  Jaeksen  attacked  the  left  near  the  rivet.— ^ 
it  resulted  honourably  to  the  American  arnifi  f 
but  produced  nothing  decisive.  The  enemyV 
force  amounted  to  about  5000  men ;  that  of  Gen.^ 
Jackson  did  not  exceed  1500.  The  conflict  last^. 
ed  an  hourr  and  was  supported  wit'j  great  firm* 
ness.  Gen.  Jaekson  renvained  on  the  field  uiitit 
Ibur  o^slu^k  in  the  morning^  when  he  t66k  a  ne# 
position  two  iniies  nearer  the  city  ;  having  lost 
in  this  affair,  24  killed,  113  wounded^  and  7^.- 
Hiissing-— total  2iS« 

The  enemy  succeeded,  on  tijc  27th,  in  blowing 
vp  the  Caroline^  (she  being  bcoah^ed)  by  meanis- 
of  hot  shot,  from  a  land  battm*y,  erected  in  th^ 
Bight.  Gn  the  28th,  he  advaijced  with  hi»  wholo:- 
force,  against  Gen.  Jackson,  in  the  hope  of  driv-^ 
ihg  him  from  bis  position,  and  with  this  vieir^ 
opened  a  fire  with  bombs  and  rockets,  at  the  dw^ 
tanceof  about  half  a  mile.  The  enemy  was  re- 
pulsed,  with  the  loss  of  about  120  men.  The^ 
Americans  lost  seven  killed  and  eight  wouiided»i 

On  Sunday  morning,  the  1st  January,  iSlS,. 
the  enemy  had  ad vaneed  within  600  yards  of  tfa0^ 
.^erican  breast  works,  under  cover  of  nigb^ 
and  a  heavy  fog,  and  had  erected  the  precedine 
night,  three  different  batteries,  mounting  in  ai£ 
±6  guns,  from  O's  to  S2's.  About  eight  o'clock^; 
flm  the  foe  deured  off,  tfakcy  eoauaeaccia  mmit 


niBTORT  eV   THE   VTAV. 


^*f 


iat 


■  - '     ■  ■  .  .        .1 

Iremendous  Are  upon  the  Americani,  but  it  wai 
simply  returned  bj  them,  and  a  heaw;y  eannonad- 
JOf  was  kept  up*  without  the  Ifast  interval  on 
Cilher  9ide»  except  that  oeoasioned  hy  t  he  explo-^ 
sioa  of  a  magazine  in  the  rear  of  one  of  the 
Auieriean  battcrievt  and  anoflier  magazine  in 
tho  nighty  owing  to  the  enemy's  Cungreve  rock- 
etfr.  Hy  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  Ame- 
ricans had  dismounted  all  the  enemy's  guns*  ex-^ 
eept  two.  They  retreated,  during  the  night,  to 
theii*  strong  hold,  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter 
from  the  American  camp.  Twice  did  the  enc* 
iny  attempt  to  storiu  and  carry  the  American 
batteries,  hut  were  as  often  deceived.  On  New-- 
Year's  day,  the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  11 
killed,  and  23  badly  wounded.  That  of  the  en-^ 
emy«  from  the  accounts  of  two  prisoners  taken 
•n  that  day,  and  t^ree  deserters  auei  wards,  must 
have  lieen  mueh  g^roater. '  r^  ^ 

;»  According  a'^''!'ie  woodsmen  arrived  to  thcf 
aid  of  Gen.  Jack^'ju's  ari^iy,  they  were  disposed 
of  to  the  best  adv.intage,  for  the  purpose  of  dei- 
fence  ;  but  thes6  forces  not  beitig  of  a  very  ef<^ 
fi^ieat  nature,  especially  us  the  men  couhi  not 
be  all  provided  With  the  necessary  arm»,  the- 
general  could  not  attempt  any  thing  agaii^st  an 
enemy,  who  was  thus  left  to  pursue,  undisturb^' 
ed«  his  laborious  ojierations.  ^ 

r'  During  the  days,  of  the  6th  and  7th,  the  en-* 
emy  bad  been  actively  employed  in  muking  pre- 
p^raiions  for  an  attack  on  Jackson*s  lines.-^ 
iVith  infinite  labour,  they  had  succeeded  on  tho 
night  of  the  7th,  in  getting  their  boats  aci^ss 
f^om  the  lake  to  the  river,  by  widening:  anit 
deepening  the  cana),  on  which  they  bad  efiecteil 
ibeir  disembarkation.. 
■   Qen.  Jack&on  was  tin  the  If^ft^ide  of  the  xli^f^ 


m 
w 


lis*.'  ■ 


'ff'<*5 


''IN' 


1*1 


a8# 


virronT  ov  tub  wi«4 


fi. 


jpatiently  trailing  tbe  aUaek.  General  Morgan} 
with  the  New-Orleans  eontingenf,  I  he  Louisiunuf 
militia*  and  u  detaeliment  of  Kentitel^>  lroo|)8; 
occupied  an  entrenelied  camp  on  the  oppottilo 
side  of  the  river,  proteetrd  1)^  strong  batteriea 
4on  the  hanky  super intenrled  by  Conunodore  Ppl* 
iertion.  .  u^t 

r  On  Sundiiyy  the  Sth,  at  6  1-2  o'eleek*  a.  Mi 
the  enen\>  began  a  very  heavy  cannonade  upoi^ 
the  American  lines*  from  his  batteries  of  18  aii<L 
i^  pounders*  supported  hy  the  musketry  of  2^00' 
men*  who  marched  in  close  columns*  and  od*< 
iranccd  nearer  than  musket  shot  distance  to  th# 
entrenchments,  armed  with  rockets*  obuses  and 
lacines*  to  storm  the  batteries :  they  directed 
their  principal  attack  against  the  head  of  th«^ 
line*  flanked  by  the  river,  and  upon  the  left  rest* 
ing  upon  the  cipress  swamp*  as  well  as  against 
the  tirailleurs  and  riflemen*  placed  above  thU 
aaid  swamp;  the  roaring  of  the  guns  dnd  firing 
of  the  musketry*  lasted  two  hours  and  a  qulir« 
ier ;  the  enemy's  mortars*  although  directed  a-= 
gainst  the  centre*  did  no  harm  to  the  troops* 
the  bursting  of  their  bombs  in  the  works  was  o^ 
no  effect*  Two  British  officers^  Mid  one  French 
ORgineer*  of  the  name  of  Rennio*  who  bad  gain^ 
ed  the  summit  of  the  Ameriean  parapet*  (se^i 
frontispieeeV)  was  killed  or  wounded*  and  madiy 
l^isoners  ;  (the  engineer  and  one  colonel  was 
killed  i)  after  this  terrible  afllitr*  the  field*  in 
front  of  the  works*  was  strewed  with  British 
wounded  and  killed. 

Gen.  Jackson  thus  briefly  details  the  partieu-? 
lars  of  attack.  ^' 


iif 


« In  my  encampment  every  thing  was  ready*  for 
action;  when  early  on  the  morning  of  the  ttK*  (ho 
^eiD7,afier  throwing  a  ^ower  of  bombs  c^  C^ 


^'■P- 


itoTfTiiRT  Of  THB  Vfkft^ 


%nf 


gf OTe  TftcketSf  advanced,  their  columnt  at  my  righ| 
and  left>  to  storm  my  entrenchments.  I  cannot  speak 
sufficiently  in  praise  of  the  firmness  and  deliberation 
wicb  which  my  whole  line  received  their  approadu 
More  could  not  have  been  expected  from  vetemna 
inured  to  war.  For  an  hour,  the  fire  of  small  arma 
was  as  incessant  and  severe  as  can  be  imagined.-— 
The  artillery,  too,  directed  by  officers  who  displayed 
•qual  skill  and  courage,  did  great  execution.  Yet 
the  columns  of  the  enemy  continued  to  advance  with 
a  firmness  which  reflects  upon  them  the  greatest 
credit.  Twice,  the  column,  which  approached  me 
on  my  left,  was  repulsed  by  the  troops  of  General 
Carrol,  those  of  Gen.  Coffee,  and  a  division  of  the 
^ntucky  militia,  and  twice  they  formed  again,  and 
renewed  the  assault.     At  length,  however,  cut  t# 

gieces,  they  iled  in  confusion  trom  the  field,  leaving 
covered  with  their  dead  and  wounded.' - 

^  Simultaneously  with  the  attack  on  Gen.  Jack«' 
son's  Hoes,  ao  attack  was  made  on  the  works  of 
Qen.  Morgan.  Had  the  enemy  been  met  wit  It 
refoluliun  in  this  attaek,  it  must  have  produced 
hia  eiitire  destruction  ;  hut*  unfortunate^*  th« 
Kentucky  reinforoements  ingloriously  fled,  draw* 
log  after  them^  by  their  example^  the  romaindep 
of  the  forces,  and  leaving;  the  batter' est  to  fho 
eneiiiy  ;  not»  however*  until  afVer  the  gu^^i  were 
spiked.  ^Vbile  General  Jackson  was  preparin|; 
to  diiplodge  the, enemy  from  the  captured  battery^ 
tli^  British  troops  were  witbdrawoy  iand  the  post 
re-oceupied  by  the  Americans. 

i'he  return  of  ()ie  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoB^ifi 
^rs,  taken  at  the  battie  of  Mae  Prardies*  plaa*^ 
tati^Oy  on  Hie  lefl  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  o« 
the  morning  of  the  8th  January,  181^  and  five 
iniles  below  the  city  of  New- Orleans*  consisted 
QCp-killed*  7pOf  Wounded,  i4,00 ;  prisoners,  609 
•^Htoytd^isoo.  ^  .,i  ■,  ■.^..^-   .„.....■,...■.....:.: --^ 


m 


ftU 


B|jiT9BT  0?  TUE  Vil» 


1  ■',  ^aH 

m 

m 

i 

^K 

i 

^^ 

.^^ 

;iii^Ki*3F'. 

'  Among  tke  slain,  were  fjeneral  Sir  Edward 
paokenhuiu*  the  ohief,  and  (len.  Gibbs*  the  third 
iu  eofiiinaiid ;  Gen.  Keane^  the  second  in  euin- 
ifiaod,  was  seferely  wounded.  Gen.  Ijumbert^ 
8U<  eeeded  to  (he  eomoiand. 
«  His  ioliil  loss,  in  the  different  engagements^ 
was  not  pi'otiably  less  than  SbOO;  ami  was»  bj 
iiian>y  supposed  to  exceed  4*000.  The  lovss  to 
the  Americans*  on  the  8<h«  on  fo<>th  sides  of  tho 
river,  was  13  kilied,  dil  wounded,  and  19  mts-ing ; 
total  killed.  Wiqnded  and  mi>s  ni;,  this  fla>  71 1 
or  this  numiivr  there  were  but  six  klJidy  untl 
seven  wounded*  in  the  action  of  the  line. 

The«neiii^  intended  to  pass  Fort  Philip*  in 
orde4*  to  co-operate  with  the  land  forees  in  tloi 
attaek  on  New  tirleans.  On  the  itiU  junuar^f 
athafrpast^  P.  IVI.  the  enemy's  hoiiih  vessel* 
opened  (heir  fii'e  against  the  fort,  froui  lour  sea- 
«iiortai'<«*  2  of  them  13  loelies.  atid  ^Z  of  tO*  at  no 
great  a  distance*  that  the  shot  froui  the  fori 
eoiiid  not  reach  him.  Hie  enein>*s  fire  contin- 
ued with  little  intermission,  and  with  little  in- 
terruption from  the  Ibit.  during  the  lOth*  Itthy 
l^th*  13th*  t4th,  tdth*  Itith  and  irtli.  On  the 
^veningofthe  t7th*  a  heav;^  mortar  wat^  got  in 
readines2»,  and  o|iened  on  the  eneni^',  with  great 
ffTect.  At  day  light  on  the  1Sth<  the  enemv  re*> 
tired*  after  having  thrown  upwards  of  1 000  heavy 
shells,  besides  small  shells,  fVom  the  howitzers* 
round  shot  and  grape*  which  he  discharged  from 
boats.,  under  cover  of  the  night*  Seareely  ten 
l^eet  of  the  garrison  remained  untoutshed  $  ,vet 
i)\e  loss  of  men  was  snialK  consisting  of  two  kil- 
led* and  seven  Wounded  This  saving  of  men 
was  owing  to  the  great  pains  taken  by  the  officers 
to  keep  their  men  under  cover. 

All  the  eBcmy'tt  mavemeatSf  after  (he  aiitiom 


^■'- 


■ItTORT  OF  THB  WAB. 


tat 


•TiV^e  8th  of  JainAa^y«  wer6  calculated  to  fl^oar*  . 
hU  retreat,  should  such  prove  necessary^  as  a|N 
pearances  then  indicated  that  it  wuuld.  Th'<iir 
intention  was,  however,  masked  b^  a  menat'ing 
altidudt*,  as  if  preparing  for  a  renewal  of  the  at<- 
lack  on  Jiiukson's  line.  They  had  erected  bat-^ 
teries  to  Dover  thrii*  retreat*  in  advantageous 
portions,  tVoin  their  original  encainpinnnt  to  ther 
llayou,  through  which  the^^  entered  lake  Bourg« 
ne.  The  tantion  placed  on  these  batteries  eoulcf 
Kave  raked  a  pursuing  army  i!i  every  direoiiou.' 
The  situation  of  the  gitiund,  through  which  they' 
retii*ed,  was  protected  by  eanals«  redbubts,  en*' 
trcnehments,  and  swamps,  on  the  right ;  and  the 
Fiver  on  the  left. 

In  this  state  of  things,  Jackson  had  an  oppor-" 
tunity  of  showing  his   prudence,  as  he    before^ 
proved  his  courage ;  and.  by  uniting  both   quali* 
fics,  perfected  the  general.     Since  the  action  of 
file  8th,  the  artillery,  on  both  sides  of  the  rivery^ 
was  constantly  employed  in  annoying  the  enemy. 
An  attempt  to  storm   his  batteries  would  have^ 
produced  great  slaughter  among  the  Amerieans;' 
bi'en  doubtful   of  success,   and   might   possibly^ 
llave  induced  the  enemy  to  delay  his  departure*' 
It  was  therefore  resolved  by  tJen.  JackiKon  to  se-' 
cure  the  advantage  obtained,  with  the  least  pos«J 
fiible  loss  or  hazard.  "' 

AM  hope  which  the  enemy  had  of  redueing*^= 
fbrt  Philip,  had  vanished;  and  on  the  night  or 
the  18th  they  precipitately  decamped,  and  re-'^ 
turned  to  their  shipping,  leaving  behind  them  80'^^ 
of  their  wounded,  II*  pieces  of  heavy  artillery*  ? 
and  an  immense  number  of  balU  having  destroy*  i 
ed  much  of  their  powder.  ¥ 

Mr.  Shields,  purser  hi  the  navy,  wrote  letterr 
0fi  the  X6th  and  i7th  of  January^  to  Mr,  NileSf 


•  ;;W'  til! 


r 

1  /     » ■■  -/^' 


( 


V    ■    f 


tn 


mSTORT  OF  THB  WAS. 


?T 


M*« 


i 

W^^m' 

W 

, .  '2 

Sf^^ 

i.| 

B?!^pi?) 

M .  fi 

^fefi^aK.'/ 

(>■  <i 

3h^£ vi  X- "^i 

M 

m^'m^'''\ 

I'i 

W^f^'^% 

^■■^ 

j^Kjj'IfflS'.) 

H 

^R^'^''' 

"1 

Hi 

m 

»;v^i;f-- 

•f  Bahimore*  eontaining  much  information^  fW>ni 
lyhivh  the  following  is  extracted  : 

**  The  day  after  the  gun-boati  were  taken*  I  was 
sentdrwn  under  a  Aug  of  truce,  to  uacertain  the  fate 
of  our  officers  and  men,  with  pow«>r  to  negotiate  an 
exchange,  especially  for  the  wounded.  But  the  en- 
enijr  would  make  no  terms— they  treated  the  Aug 
with  contempt,  and  myself  and  the  tturgeon,  who 
was  with  me,  as  prisoners,  until  the  1 8th  inst.  He 
has  now  lowered  his  tone,  and  begs  the  exchange 
that  we  offered.  Defeat  has  humbled  the  arrogance 
of  the  enemy,  who  had  firomiaed  hi»  toidiers /6rty» 
eight  hours  fiillage  and  rapine  ({f  the  City  ^f  Nev)» 
Orleane  !  r 

On  the  TiuUiorKy  of  judge  Poindexfert  it  is 
staled,  thai  <*the  watch-word  and  countersign 
of  the  enemjf  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  was 
BEAUTY  and  BOOTY.  Comment  is  unneces- 
sarj'  on  these  significant  allusions  held  out  to  a 
licentious  soldiery.  Had  victory  declared  on 
their  side,  the  scenes  of  Havre  de  Grace,  of 
Hampton,  of  Alexandria,  and  of  St.  Sebastians* 
Mould,  without  doubt,  have  been  re  acted  at  N. 
Orleans,  with  all  the  unfeeling  and  brutal  inhu- 
manity of  the  savage  foe  with  whom  we  are  con- 
tending." 

Thus  ended,  in  disgrace  and  discomfiture  to 
the  enemy,  an  expedition  which  occupied  seve- 
ral months  in  its  preparation,  and  was  compos- 
ed of  at  least  10,000  troops,  drawn  from  al- 
most every  part  of  the  world,  where  the  Brt- 
tiHh  had  garrisons  or  soldiers.  Nothing  was 
left  undone  to  secure  the  occupation  of  an  im- 
mense province,  and  the  command  of  a  river  ex- 
tending thousands  of  miles  through  the  nio^t 
fertile  countries  in  the  world  ;  and  on  which  se- 
veral of  the  United  States  depend  as  an  outl<^ 
and  market  fop  their  produce.    '  "^  ' '  '""  -^  "*^  ^ 


Hf STOUT  OV  TUB  WAl.. 


tot 


^  That  a  permanent  oooupation  of  N6w-Or1ean»9 
and  the  state  of  Louisianuy  v/vks  intended^  can 
•cui'oely  be  doubted.  The  fact  that  revenue 
and  other  civil  officers^  to  reside  at  New*  Or- 
levinsy  wen)  on  buard  the  fleet*  is  a  suffiirient 
evideni^e  of  this  fact,  as  well  as  it  is  of  the  cer- 
lainty  with  which  victory  was  counted  on ;  oor 
is  this  rendered  doubtful,  by  the  eircumstanue, 
that  the  battle  was  fought  after  the  treaty  of 

?eace  was  ratified  by  the  British  government, 
^he  expedition  against  New- Orleans  was  plan- 
ned long  before  the  signing  of  peace,  and  at  ^ 
time  when  the  wavering  and  quibbling  policy  of 
lllngland  induced  the  American  commissioners 
at  Ghent,  to  write  to  their  government,  <•  that 
no  hopes  of  peace,,  as  likely  to  result  from  itp 
(the  negotitttion)  could  be  entertained." 

From  an  ofiioial  account,  it  appeared,  that 
the  number  of  men  under  command  of  General 
Jackson,  and  actually  engaged  against  the  en- 
emy, on  the  8th  January,  amounted  to  4if69S, — 
The  enemy's  foree^  by  his  own  account^  exceed- 
ed 10,000. 

By  an  article  in  a  Jamaica  paper,  of  the  3d' 
December,  it  was  stated,  that  the  expedition' 
then  prepared  to  go  against  the  United  States^- 
under  command  of  Sir  Alexander  Cochrane,  and 
Muj.  Gen.  Keane,  (the  same  that  afterwards  en- 
tered the  Mississippi,)  consisted  of  1  ship  of  80 
guns,  5  of  74,  3  of  50,  1  of  44i,  6  of  38,  2  of  36, 
3  of  3^,  3  of  16,  2  of  14,  and^3  of  6  guns— Total 
28 ;  carrying  1084  guns,  besides  a  great  num- 
ber of  cutters,  transports,  ke. 
t  On  the  21  st  Jan.  Gen.  Jackson  directed  an  ad- 
dress to  be  publicly  read  at  the  head  of  each  of 
the  corps  composing  the  lines  near  New-Orleans^ 
It  must  have  been  a  difficult  and  delicate  task  to^' 


m 

„  1  ■ 


II 


> » 


> 


f 


fi9S 


BISTORT  •¥  THE  WAV* 


■  ^■^ 


ti^^^-K 


^'■;«'5 


4o  justice  to  indiTiduaU*  where  all  acted  so  welly 
previngy  in  the  generaFs  words, «» that  a  rampart 
•f  high  minded  men  is  a  better  defence^  thaa 
the  Edost  regular  fortification.'* 

This  address  contained  the  following  emphatic 
Dal  paragraph. 

*<  Reasoning  always  from  false  principles  they 
(the  enemy)  expected  little  opposition  from  men 
whose  officers  even  were  iiot  in  unUbrm^  who  were 
ignorant  of  the  rules  of  dress,  and  who  had  never 
been  caned  into  discipline — fatal  mistake  1  a  fire  in- 
cessantly kept  upi  directed  with  calmness,  and  with 
unerring  aim,  strewed  the  field  with  the  brave  uffi^ 
cers  and  men  of  the  column,  which  slowly  advanced) 
according  to  the  most  approved  rules  of  European 
tactics.,  and  was  cut  down  by  the  untutored  courage 
of  the  American  militia.  Unable  to  sustain  tiiis  gal- 
ling and  unceasing  fire,  some  hundreds  nearest  the 
entrenchments  called  for  quarters,  which  was  grant- 
ed—the rest,  retreating,  were  rallied  at  some  dis- 
tance, but  only  to  make  them  a  surer  mark  for  the 
grape  and  cannister  shot  of  our  artillery,  which) 
without  exaggeration,  tnotved  flown  v>hol«  ranks  at 
every  discharge  ;  and,  at  length,  they  precipitatelf 
i^tired  from  the  field."  .  ^ 

'  The  following  officers  and  volunteers  arc  par- 
tieularly  notieed  by  the  general ;  Genei^ls  Cof- 
fee, Carroll,  Adair$  de  Flanjae,  Ylllere,  Mor- 
gan*  Humberi,  (acting  as  a  volunteer,)  Mexieun; 
Field  Marshal  Don  Juande  Anavar,  (volunteer ;) 
Colonels  Ross,  Dyer,  Gibson,  Elliot,  M'Reay 
Perry,  De  la  Ronde,  Haynes,  Piatt,  Andei'son^ 
rkilled,)  and  Adjt.  Gem  Col.  Butler;  Lieut. 
Col.  Lauderdale,  (killed ;)  Majors  Hinds,  Blan- 
che, Carmao,  St.  Geme,  Nicks,  Chotard,  Davis, 
Hampton,  Tatura.  Ijacalliere  de  la  Tour,  and 
La  Caste  and  Dagain,  commanding  two  corps  of 
••loured  wen  i  Captaini   Bakeri    Huinphreysi 


HI»TOBT  Of  THE  VfAJl* 


293 


Savary,  BeaU  Ogden,  Lewis,  Livingston^  Lefe- 
bre,  Planchard,  Smith,  Griffin,  Mahon,  (killed,) 
Pace,  (killed,)  and  the  brothers  Lafitte  and  Do* 
minique,  and  Belluohe,  (Barratarians  ;)  Lieii- 
tenants  M*Clellan,  (killed,)  Dupy,  Spotts,  Keri-, 
Alexis,  Crawford,  (killed,)  and  Leaeh ;  Com- 
modore Patterson,  Captain  Henly,  Lieutenants 
Norris  and  Growly,  and  Midshipman  Erasmus 
Walkins,  of  the  Navy;  Aiids-de-oa mp Thos.  D* 
Butter,  John  Read,  Livingston,  Duncan,  Grymes. 
Duplessis,  and  De'Castera  ;  Doctors  Kerr  and 
Flood  ;  Judge  Lewis,  (volunteer  ;)  and  Messrs. 
Chauveau,  Hiriart,  Latrobe,  Gilbert,  Bosquet^ 
and  Decoin. 

.  Several  desperate  characters,  citizens  oT  the 
United  States,  as  well  as  foreigners,  natives  of 
diflferent  countries,  had  associated  themselves  in- 
to  a  band  of  pirates,  under  the  chief  Laiiite,  and 
bad  taken  up  their  residence  in  the  island  of 
Barrataria,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. 
The  government  of  the  United  States  caused  this 
unlawful  establishment  to  be  broken  up.  The 
expedition  against  the  Barratarians,  took  posses* 
sion  of  all  the  piratical  vessels,  their  prizes,  and 
a  considerable  quantity  of  arms  and  property^ 
nvitbout  opposition,  on  the  16th>  SeptembiBr,  1814« . 
The  vessels  thu»-  taken,  consisted  of  six  schoo- 
ners, and  one  felucca,  cruisers  and  prizes  of  the 
pirates,  one  brig,  a  prize,  and  2  armed  sefaooners» 
both  in  line  of  battle  with  the  armed  vessels  of 
the  pirates.  The  establishment  on  shore,  whicb^ 
was  also  taken  possession  of,  consisted  of  about 
4>0  houses. .  The  pirates '  had  mounted  on  their- 
yessels^O  pieces  of  cannon,  of  different  calibresr^ 
and  their  number  consisted  of  between  800  and< 
1000  men,  of  all  nations  and  colours.  The  ex-r 
lition  against  tbo  pirates  was  under  e^mimau^ 


!«    i 


■1 


«c 


* 


ft94 


HIiTOIRir  Ot  ««B  WAR.  i^ 


of  Com.  Patterson,  of  the  navy,  having  on  boa«*d 
a  detachment  of  land  troops,  under  eommand  of 
€ol.  Ross. 

The  Barratarian  pirates  took  part  in  the  d^^ 
fence  of  New-OHeans,  against  the  British^  and 
^ere  both  active  and  serviceable.  It  was,  also> 
fiatisfaotorily  ascertained,  that  they  had,  previ* 
oos  to  their  dispersion,  refused  an  alliance  with 
the  British,  rejecting  the  most  seducing  terms 
of  invitation.  Induced  by  these  considerations^ 
and  at  the  recommendation  of  the  general  as- 
sembly of  the  state  of  Louisiana,  the  President 
of  the  United  States  granted  to  su<th  of  them 
as  aided  in  defence  of  New-Orleans,  a  full  par** 
don  for  idl  offences  against  the  laws  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  committed  previous  to  the  8th  Janu* 
ary,  1815.  ^ 

The  enemy,  after  being  defeated  near  New- 
Orleans,  turned  his  attention  to  the  state  of 
Georgia;  and,  from  appearances,  intended  a 
visit  to  Savannah.  The  unprepared  state  of 
Georgia,  and  the  dreadful  character  of  the  en** 
«my,  eaused  a  great  alarm  among  the  inhabi- 
ilants  of  the  state. 

On  the  11th  January,  1815,  the  enemy,  to 
the  nutnber  of  1500  or  2000  men,  efiected  a 
landing  on  Cumberland  island.  On  the  13th|. 
Point  Petre  waa  carried  hy  storm ;  and,  on  the 
following  day,  St.  JVIary's  capitulated,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  flag  sent  IVom  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town.  The  enemy  evacuated  Point  Petre 
and  St.  Mary%  the  21st  January',  after  buning 
the  barracks,  and  blowing  up  the  fort.  Hau  the 
enemy  attempted  Savannah,  he  would  have  met 
a  reception  similar  to  that  experieneed  at  N^w* 
Orleans.  No  people  ever  turned  out  more  geii^ 
ecally>  or  with  more  alaciity^  than  the  mea  ef 


BIBTORT  OF  THE  WAB. 


29i' 


d^ 


Oeorgia*  The  inililia,  in  every  patt  of  the 
itate^  were  in  niotion,  when  (he  news  of  ptaccy 
and  retreat  of  the  enemy  reached  them.  While 
the  enemy  was  marcliing  against  Point  Petre^ 
Capt.  Massias,  of  the  Isi  U.  8.  rifle  corps,  at  tlie 
bead  of  60  men,  attempted  to  oppose  lOOO,  com* 
mitted  considerable  havoc  among  the  enemy^ 
and  retreated,  with  the  loss  of  one  killed,  four 
grounded,  and  nine  missing. 

The  fortress  of  j\1  obit e,  within  the  limits  of 
the  purchase  of  Louisiana,  had  been  retained  by 
the  Spaniards,  notwithstanding  if)  purchase  by 
the  United  States.  The  war  between  Great* 
Britain  and  the  United  States  rendered  it.  ne- 
cessary to  oceupy  this  place,  lest  it  should  fall 
into  the  possession  of  the  enemy.  .Qii  the  ibih 
April,  18i;^,  General  Wilkinson  appeared  beforo 
it,  at  the  head  of  a  respectable  force ;  when,  the 
gaiTisofi  being  summoned  to  surrender,  the  Spa* 
niBh  troops  were  immediately  embarked  for  Pen* 
saeola  ;  and  Mobile  was  taken  possession  of  by 
the  United  States*  troops. 
'  Pensacola,  although  a  Spanish  post^  was  not 
properly  entitled  to  the  character  of  neutral.-^ 
The  cionduct  of  the  Spanish  governor  left  no 
doubt  as  to  his  attaclimi^nt  to  the  British,  and 
bis  hostile  disposition  toward  the  United  States* 
I  Pensacola  was  an  asylum  for  hostile  Indians  f 
lit  Pensacola,  they  were  armed,  provisioiied^  and 
paid.  Pensacola  was  a  depot  of  British  arms^ 
a  home  for  traitors  to  the  United  States^  and  a 
place  of  rendezvous  for  every  ally  of  the  enemy « 
whether  white,  blaek,  or  red.  ,  ^  ^ 
^  As  soon  as  the  war  in  Europe  was  likely  t^ 
end,  and  Britain  at  liberty  to  direct  her  whole 
force  against  the  United  States,  the  understand* 
lag  with  the  governor  of  Florida>  became  ie»» 


fc   t./^- 


Ifcuj-Ji'l**, 


m- 


^.. 


^a  ■ 


•«L-i 


mm 


%^6 


ai#T6BT  OF  THE   WAK. 


Biasked,  and  llic  British   officers   boldly  dated 
their  public  acts  from  •<  Htad  garters,  Pensa- 

It  was  under  these  circumstances  determin* 
ed  to  attack  the  British  at  their  head  quarters, 
and  to  storm  the  town^  although  defended  hy 
strong  batteries,  and  supported  by  seven  armed 
British  vessels  in  the  bay.  On  the  7th  Novem- 
ber,  1814»  the  attack  was  made,  under  the  com- 
mand and  direction  of  General  Jaekson.  The 
following  animated  report  of  the  assault,  was 
made  by  General  Jackson,  in  a  letter  to  Govera<r 
or  Early : 

« I  entered  sword  in  hand,  with  about  3000  brave 
fbllowers,  in  the  face  of  Spanish  batteries,  and  a 
British  fleet  of  seven  sail,  anchored  abreast  and  oppo* 
site  the  town.  The  English  by  intrigue  and  base 
falsehood,  induced  the  Spaniards  to  abandon  the  works 
commanding  the  harbour,  entered  them  and  blew 
them  up,  otherwise  they  would  have  fallen  a  sacri- 
fice to  their  own  plans.  When  this  took  place,  the 
fl(  et  being  at  liberty  to  go  out,  did  so  ;  and  I  evacu^ 
ated  the  town,  leaving  the  Spaniards  favourably  im- 
pressed with  our  conduct,  and  disgusted  with  their- 
British  friends." 

Fort  Bowyer  was  closely  besieged  by  land  and 
water,  on  the  8th  February,  1815,  by  a  verj; 
large  force  of  the  enemy.  The  garrison  con- 
sfsted  of  360  men,  including  officers,  eommandeif 
by  Lieut.  Col.  W.  Lawrence.  The  enemy  ad- 
Tanced  by  regular  approaches,  and  was  within 
eertain  musket  shot  of  the  parapets  of  the  fbrtf 
on  tbe  land  side,  when  the  garrison  was  surren- 
dt»red,  on  the  i2th,  by  capitulation.— -There  were 
but  few  lives  lost  on  either  side. 

On  the  24)th  February,  six  barges  of  the  enemjT' 
{^ocecdjed  ug  the  river  SU  JMary's^  witk  a  vieii^ 


.^ 


*> 


^> 


\ 


m 


HISTOBT  •¥  THE  If  AH. 


S9r 


to  burn  the  mUls  belonging  to  Mr.  A.  Clark.-* 
Thej'  were  opposed  b^  a  few  patriots  from  the 
Florida  8bore»  when  the  boats  tueked  about  to 
retreat ;  at  this  moment,  about  30  men  attacked 
them  from  an  ambush  on  the  opposite  shore.—* 
The  enemy  was  thus  plaeed  betwt*en  two  iires> 
\vhich  continued  to  gall  him  until  he  reached  a 
part  of  the  river,  where,  b}'  keeping  the  centre, 
he  was  beyond  the  reach  of  the  fire  f^om  both 
shores.  The  enemy  lost  upwards  4>f  100  men* 
The  Americans  had  only  one  man  wounded.  -  % 
The  U.  S.  ship  President.  Com.  Decatur  sail- 
ed on  a  cruise  from  New  York,  the  14th  Janu- 
ary, 1813.  The  ship,  in  going  over  the  bar^ 
grounded,  and  suffet*ed  so  muirli  in  consequencei 
as  evidently  to  afft'ct  her  sailing ;  and  was  the 
f  ause  of  her  subsequent  eapture,,  by  a  superior 
force  of  the  enemy.  At  5,  a.  m.  on  the  15th» 
the  President  fell  in  with  the  enemy's  squadroOf 
eonsisting  of  the  Majestic,  razee;  F^ndymiony 
Pomone,  Tenedos,  and  Despaitch  brig.  The 
injury  done  to  the  President,  when  she  ground* 
ed  off  the  Hook,  prevented  her  outsailing  the 
enemy's  fleet.  The  Endymion  (mounting  fifty 
guns,  !24  pounders,  on  the  main  dock)  having  ap« 
preached  within  gun-shot,  commenced  a  firing 
at  5,  P.  M.  more  with  a  view  to  delay  than  ta 
iry  strength  with  the  President.  The  latter^ 
however,  was  enabled  to  bring;  her  guns  so  far 
to  bear^  as  to  silence  the  Endymion,  and  to  put 
her,  by  8  o'clock,  fully  out  of  combat,  so  mueli 
crippled,  that  she  could,  with  ]3;reat  difBculty,  be 
worked,  or  kept  afloat.  I'he  near  approach  of 
the  other  ships,  obliged  the  President  to  aban^ 
lion  a  vessel,  that  must,  if  not  supported  by  her 
eonsorts,  have  surrendered.  The  Pomone  aa^ 
T^uedos;  came  up  mi  eDga^ed  the  President   ^t 


<(i> 


«.? 


s'^M 


sdd 


fftSToltt  Of  ^jf«  WAK 


if 


>,■•■*■: 


^ 


5- 


'  -'^     •fa--"-'  ■ 


the  samie  time*  the  Mdjestie  being  also  wi(bi» 
gun  tthot.  It  being  uiiele»s  and  imprudent  to 
engage  so  overpowering  a  force*  Com.  Decatur 
struck  his  flag«  and  Mrent  on  board  the  Majes~ 
tio«  ivhere  he  delivered  bis  sword  to  Capt.  Uaj's, 
the  senior  officer  of  the  squadron,  who  politelj 
returned  it.  The  written  parole  granted  to 
€om.  Deeatur»  specified  his  having  surrendered 
the  President  to  a  British  squadron;  thus  si- 
lencing those  who  wished  to  have  it  understood^ 
that  the  Commodore  struck  his  flag  to  a  single 
ship.  The  prize  money*  arising  from  the  cap- 
ture of  the  President*  was  divided  among  the 
erewsof  the  squadron,  hy  which  she  was  cap- 
tured»    . 

-  The  loss  on  board  the  enemy  could  not  be  as- 
•ertained ;  that  of  the  Pi*esident  consisted  of  24 
killed,  and  50  wounded.  Among  the  killed,  were 
lileutenants  Babbit,  Hamiltoitj  aiid  Howell.      ^ 

Commodore  Decatur,  in  his  official  report, 
wrote  that  <<  a  oonsiderable  number  of  his  killed 
and  woundtid  was  from  the  fire  of  the  Pomone ; 
and  that  the  Endymion  had  on  board,  in  addition 
to  her  own  crew,  i  lieutenant,  1  master's  mate, 
aod  50  seamen,  belonging  to  the  Saturn ;  and 
when  the  action  ceased,  was  left  motionless  and 
„  unmanageable,  until  she  bent  new  sails,  rove  new 
rigging,  and  iished  her  spars ;  nor  did  i^he  join 
the  squadron  until  six  hours  after  the  actien,  and 
three  hours  after  the  surrender  of  the  Presi- 
dent." 

Tfie  U.  S.  frigate  Constitution,  Capt.  Stewart, 
iailed  from  Boston,  in  December,  ISl^.  When 
oflT  Madeira,  on  the  evening  of  the  20th  Febru- 
ary, t815,  she  fell  in  with  his  Britannic  majesty '& 
ships  Cyam*!  and  Levant,  which  she  capturei(|| 
iifter  an  action  of  ^0  minutea^ 


#' 


BI8T0ET  OY.  TQB  IVAir. 


99§ 


.4  The  Cvane  k  a  frigate  liuilt  ship,  mounting 
34f  carriage  giins,  \iz.  !22  32- pound  carronHcles 
on  the  gun-deck,  8  18-pound  carronadcs  oii^th^ 
quart^r-deek,  tM^o  18-pound  carronadt's  and  t^o 
long  u*8,  on  the  iort* castle,  with  a  compleuient 
pr  180  men.  I'he  Ijevant  mounted  21  carriage  t 
guns,  viz.  18  32  pound  carronades,  two  long  9*8, 
ad  a  shifting  12-pounder«  on  the  tup-gallant 
foretmstle,  with  a  complement  of  136  men.-— 
The  enemy's  vessels  suflTcred  severely  in  sp.rSf 
>*igS*ng  and  sails.  The  Constitution  received 
little  iiyiiry,  having  but  four  men  killed,  and  10 
ivounded.  I'he  Cyane  had  seven  killed,  and  17 
grounded  ;  the  Levaiit  9  kilhd,  and  17  wounded* 
On  the  12(h  March,  the  Coustitulioa  and  her 
prizes,  fell  in  with  three  British  frigates.  The 
frigates  kept  together^  in  chase  of  the  Const  it  u- 
tion,  lest,  hy  separating  they  might  be  captured 
in  succession.  The  Constitution  outsailed  and 
escaped  the  enemy *s  squadron  ;  the  Cyane  arriv- 
ed at  New- York  ;  and  (he  Levant  was  attacked 
and  taken  by  the  British  squadron,  in  the  har-. 
hour  of  Porto  Peaya,  in  the  Island  of  8t.  Ja^Of 
in  violation  of  the  neutrality  of  the  port,  and 
eontrary  to  the  laws  of  natiojis.  '^Ihe  Consti- 
tution arrived  safely  in  the  United  States. 

On  the  19th  July.  1813,  the  U.  S.  brig  of  war. 
Syren,  of  16  gun*",  was  captured  after  a  chase 
of  11  hours,  by  his  Britannic  majesty's  tiigate 
Bfedway.  During  the  chase  the  Myren  threw 
overboard  all  her  guns,  boats,  anchors,  cablet^ 
and  spars.  '^ 

%  On  the  25th  May,  1815,  the  President  of  the 
United  States  informed  Congress,  that  his  ma-«^ 
jesty  the  Emperor  of  Russia,  had  offered  his 
mediation,  in  order  to  facilitate  a  peace  between, 
Great  Britaia  and  Uie  Uaited  StalieSf  iUat  ih% 


111 


'm\ 


ft 


m 

If 

it '« 


fin 


^  ft 


u% 


BISTORT  OT  TR|B  WAH. 


offer  was  aeoepted  by  (he  Pre$iklent»  and  that 
t'iiree  citizens  had  been  com  missioned  to  treat 
aucordingly. 

On  the  meeting  of  Congress  in  December  fol- 
io sving^  the  President,  in  his  message  to  both 
houses,  Informed  them*  that  Great  Britain  had 
declined  negotiating  under  the  mediation  of 
Bussia. 

Notwithstanding  this  refusal  of  the  British 
government,  to  accept  the  Russian  mediation^ 
the  British  ambasHador,  at  the  court  of  8t.  Pe- 
tersburg, directed  a  letter,  in  September,  to  the 
Russian  government,  intimating  a  desire  to 
treat  immediately  with  the  American  plenipo- 
tentiaries. 

Lord  Castlereagh,  secretary  of  state  to  his 
Britannic  mijesiy*  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  above 
note  in  a  letter  of  the  4th  November*  to  the 
secretary  of  state  of  the  United  States*  at  the 
city  of  Washington,  proposing  that  the  two  go- 
'Vernments  would  enter  into  direct  negotiation^ 
for  a  termination  of  the  war*  on  terms  that 
vould  be  mutually  advantageous;  and  that  the 
nc^^otiations  would  be  entered  into  at  Gotten- 
burg  or  Lonilon.  'i'he  proposition  was  prompt- 
ly acceded  to  by  the  American  government*  fix- 
ing on  Gottenburg  as  the  place  of  negotiation. 

The  senate  confirmed,  on  tjie  19tli  January^ 
1814,  the  nomination*  by  the  President,  of  John 
Quincy  Adams«  James  A.  Ba>ard,  Heni'y  Clay^ 
and  Jw..''.i  ban  Russell,  as  ministers  to  treat  for 
peace  M/ith  British  commissioners  at  Gotten- 
burg. It  was  afterward  agreed,  that  the  treaty 
should  be  held  at  Ghent. 

So  indecisive  and  equivocating  was  the  eon- 
duet  of  British  ministers,  that  many  perso-is 
diKibted  whether  any  eommhuiioners  would  km 


i^^^^m 


HXSTOBY  Olf  TUB  WAB. 


SOL 


id  ihVLt 
»  treat 

ep  f«l- 
,0  both 
in  ftiad 
tion  of 

British 
diatioiiy 
St.  Pe- 
r,  to  the 
?8ire  to 
plenipo« 

\  to  his 
lie  above 
,  to  the 
,  at  the 
two  go- 
;otiatioii9 
lis  that 
that  the 

Gotten- 

proiiipt- 

uent,  fix- 

iation. 

Janiiary^ 

of  John 

ry  Clay, 

trf^at  for 

Gotten- 
he  treaty 

the  con- 
pers0:i» 

iiroiild   ''^ 


uppointed  on  the  part  of  Britain  ;  and,  Vfhen 
appointed^  it  was  pretty  generally  believed  that 
the  appointment  was  merely  pro  forma,  without 
any  intention  to  agree  to  reasonable  terms  of 
peace. 

The  British  gOYcrnment  appointed^  as  their 
oommissionersy  Lord  Gambler,  Henry  Goulburny 
Esq.  and  l^illiam  Adams,  Esq.  These  person- 
ages arrived  at  Ghent  the  6th  August.  , 

At  the  first  meeting  with  the  American  com- 
missioners, terms  were  ofiered  on  th^  part  of 
England,  so  degrading  and  offensive  to  the  United 
States,  that  it  was  impossible  to  aceept  them  ; 
and,  as  some  of  them  were  ofiered  in  the  form 
of  a  sine  qua  non,  there  remained  not  a  h^pe  of 
a  speedy  negotiation  of  hostilities. 

The  news,  when  arrived  in  the  United  States, 
roused  at  once,  the  pride  and  the  energy  of  the 
nation  ;  and  produced  an  union  of  sentiment,  that 
presaged  future  glory  and  success. 

It  was  now  evident,  that  the  negociations  at 
Ghent,  hung  on  those  then  pending  before  a  con<* 
gress  of  the  ministers  of  several  potentates,  as- 
sembled at  Vienna,  for  settling  a  general  peace 
in  Europe.  4 

\  It  is  easy  to  eoncelve,  that  the  task  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  congress  at  Yienna,  was  diflicult. 
Wrapped  up  in  state  secrecy,  and  influenced  by 
state  intrigues,  the  course  of  negociation  at  Vi- 
enna, was,  in  a  great  degree,  withheld  from  the 
public  eye.  The  continued  armaments  of  Ei^ 
ropean  powers,  and  the  mUitary  parade  with 
which  the  Duke  of  Wellington  appeared  in  Bel- 
gium, even  before  the  Emperor  of  Elba  ceased 
to  be  a  pensioner  of  Louis  XVIII,  led  to  sus- 
picion, that  the  rights  of  European  sovereignt 
must  be  settled  by  a  new  effusion  of  the  blood^f 
their  subjects.  ▲  a 


N^-: 


.^m 


302 


ttistoliT  of  TRB  VTAC. 


y 


* 


«i 


'Whatever  motive  may  have  influeneed  tht 
British  government^  it  is  certain^  that  a  very 
sudden  ohange  of  tone  was  produced  on  their 
fiart.  TS«o  consequence  wasy  that  a  treaty  of 
peace,  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States,  yvM  siened  at  Ghent,  the  24th  Deeember, 
1814,  by  LordGambier,  Henry  Goul bourn,  and 
IVilUam  Adams,  as  commissioners  on  the  part 
of  England  ;  and  by  John  Quincy  Adams,  J.  A. 
Bayara,  Henry  Clay,  Jonathan  Russell,  and  Al- 
bert Gallatin,  as  commissioners  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  ;  ratified  at  London  the  28th 
of  the  same  month,  and  ratified  at  the  city  of 
l^ashington,  on  the  17th  February,  1815. 

The  terms  of  the  treaty  being  considered 
honourable  to  the  country,  and  satisfactory  to 
the  citizens,  their  ratification  was  followed  by 
the  most  seneral  and  enthusiastic  joy,  accom- 
panied by  illuminations,  &c.  &c.  in  every  part  of 
the  union. 

Measures,  early  as  possible,  were  taken  to 
bring  home,  and  restore  to  their  country  and 
fi*iends,  a  great  number  of  American  prisoners, 
confined  in  the  depots  in  England.  Among 
these  were  many,  who,  having  been  impressed, 
and  forced  to  serve  the  British  government  for 
many  years  before  the  war,  had,  on  that  occa- 
sion, refused  to  fight  against  their  country  and 
fHends  ;  and  were,  in  consequence,  treated  as 
prisoners  of  war,  althX)ugh  not  taken  in  time  of 
urar,  or  in  arras.  .        r 

An  unfortunate  event  prevented  many  of  the 
unhappy  prisoners  from  revisiting  their  country  ; 
or  sent  them  to  it,  with  marks  of  British  bar- 
barity, which  will  remain  on  them'  for  life. 

On  the  6th  April,  1815,  Capt.  T.  G.  Short- 
land,  keeper  of  the  prison  of  Dartmoor,  having 


\ 


mSTO&T  OV  THB  VfktL 


$Q3 


'U 


discoTered  a  small  hole  in  one  of  the  inner  walls 
of  the  prison^  made  it  a  pretext  for  drawing  out 
the  army  against  the  prisoners.  The  alarm  bell, 
instead  of  causing  the  prisoners  to  retreat  to 
their  prisons^  induced  many  of  them  to  press 
forwai^  to  discover  the  cause  :  this  was  certain- 
ly more  a  proof  of  innocence^  than  of  any  pre- 
meditated attempt  to  escape  from  a  place  whence 
they  must  have  been  soon  released  without 
the  risk  of  life.  The  measures  taken^  by  or- 
der of  Shortlandy  previous  to  the  massacre^  were 
caleulated  to  prevent  the  return  of  the  priso- 
ners who  were  thus  left  the  more  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  the  soldiery,  ^hile  thus  embarrass- 
ed^  they  were  charged  by  the  soldiery  ;  and 
while  running  in  great  confusion  to  discover  the 
^w  doors  leu  open  for  their  escape  into  the  pri- 
soHy  they  were  fired  on  by  the  centinels  on  the 
walls.  In  this  manner,  seven  were  killed,  and  60 
wounded.  A  committee  of  t«;e  prisoners  investi- 
gated this  transaction,  and  gave  iq  their  report* 
all  the  appearance  of  a  foul  and  premeditated 
niurder. 

^  The  British  government  in  order  to  lessen  this 
stigma  on  its  officers,  agreed  to  have  an  investi- 
gation made  by  two  persons,  one  to  be  appoint- 
ed by  the  British  minister,  the  other  by  the 
.American.  F.  S.  Larpent  was  appointed  by  the 
former,  and  Charles  King  by  the  latter.  The  re- 
port of  these  commissioners  certainly  softened 
the  apparent  culpability  of  Shortland,  but  the 
correctness  of  the  report  has  beeii  denied  by  the 
prisoners,  not  by  any  wilful  representation  of  the 
ieommissioners,  but  from  a  want  of  sufficient  in- 
formation or  inquiry. 

The  subject  of  Dartmoor  is  referred  to^  for 
Hbe  purpose  of  directin||  the  readers  to  the  period 


■^- 


I 


'  '■'I'll 


m 


m 


S04i 


niSTOBT  OF  TUB  WAS. 


V'-  Vj      -^ 


•f  the  massacre,  but  without  the  intention  of  en- 
tering into  a  detail,  which  the  present  limits  will 
not  allow. 

Althoush  a  ratified  treaty  of  peace  had  been 
cxchangedy  at  Washington,  on  the  17th  Febru- 
ary, yet  by  its  articles,  captures  made  in  distant 
fieas  were  allowed,  until  certain  periods  after  the 
date  of  ratification.  The  events  produced  during 
this  time,  proved  both  honourable  and  advanta- 
geous to  the  Americans. 

At  half  past  10;  A.  M.  the  2Sd  March,  1815, 
Captain  Biddle,  commanding  the  United  States* 
sloop  Hornet,  being  oif  the  north  end  of  the  Is- 
land of  Tristan  d'Acunha,  discovered  a  sail  to 
the  southward  and  eastward.  He  immediately 
made  sail  for  her.  At  one,  40,  P.  M.  an  action 
oommenced.  After  a  well  fought  engsigenient, 
of  22  minutes,  the  enemy  cried  for  quarters,  and 
was  taken  possession  of  by  the  victorious  Ameri- 
can. Sh^  proved  to  be  his  Britannic  majesty's 
brig  Penguin,  mounting  16  32-pound  carronades, 
2  long  twelves,  a  12-pound  earronade  on  the  top- 
gallant forecastle,  with  swivels  on  the  capstern  in 
the  tops  :  she  had  a  spare  port  forward,  so  as  to 
fight  both  her  long  gons  of  a  side.  The  enemy 
had  a  complement  of  132  men,  12  of  ^hom  were 
supernumerary  marines,  from  the  Medway,  74. 
After  the  prisoners  were  removed,  and  some  pro- 
visions and  stores  taken  from  the  Penguin,  she 
was,  by  order  of  Captain  Biddle,  scuttled  and 
sunk,  her  crippled  and  ri^^tA  state  I'cndering  it 
iinadvisable  to  attempt  sending  her  to  the  United 
States. 

•  «  This  ship  (said  Captain  Biddle,  in  his  official 
report))  did  not  receive  a  single  shot  in  her  hull,  nor 
any  material  wound  in  her  spars  ;  the  rigging  and 
sails  w^re  very  ipuchcut;    huVh%YinebMtiknew 


^v 


s*- 


RtSTMtT  OF  THE  WAl. 


SOB 


Mt  of  sails,  and  knotted  and  secured  our  rif;ging,  we 
are  now  completely  ready^  in  all  respects,  for  any 
service.  Wc  were  eight  men  short  of  complement, 
and  had  nine  upon  the  sick  list,  the  morning  of  the 
action." 

The  enemy  aeknowledged  a  loss  of  fourleen 
killed^  and  twenty-eight  wounded ;  but  Mr. 
Mayo,  who  was  in  charge  of  tbo  prize,,  said  that 
the  number  was  oertainiy  greater.  Capt.  Dick- 
enson, the  commander  of  the  Penguin,  waskillodf 
and  the  boatswain,  second  lieutenant,  purser,  and 
two  midshipmen,  wounded,  £ach  of  the  mid- 
shipmen lost  a  lee. 

The  officers  of  the  Penguin  relate,  that,  dur- 
ing the  aetion  with  the  Hornet,  a  thirty-twa 
pound  shot  eame  in  at  the  after-port  of  the  Pen- 

guin,  on  the  larboard  side— -carried  away   six 
gSf  killed  the  powder  boy  of  the  division,  oap- 
sised  the  opposite  gun  on  the  starboard    side^ 

{massed  through  the  port,  and  <<  sunk  in  sullen  si- 
enee  to  the  bottom.'' 

The  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  left  a  favourable  opportunity  for  the  pi- 
rates of  Africa,  to  prey  on  the  persons  and  pro- 
perty of  the  Amerieans.  The  Algerines  declared 
war,  and  fitted  out  a  fleet  accordingly. 

Having  given  in  pages  21  and  32,  the  list  of 
the  Ameriean  Navy,  as  it  stood  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  it 
may  be  considered  interesting  to  know  how  the 
Lilliputian  navy  stood  at  the  end  of  the  war» 
which  was  to  <<  blow  it,  out  of  the  water.'^  The 
fbllowinjg  IS  the  naval  list  of  shippijig»  ifi  Aprif^ 
1816.  Those  Yessels  whose  names  are  marked 
{^^  are  such  as  remain  of  the  naval  force  before 
the  war.  Those  marked  (^)  are  building;.  Those 
marked  in  iloltic  at«»  such  a&  were  eaptured  fran 

A  a  d 


II  r 


!l| 


I 


n 


1  '^1 


i  f-jji 


1  -i  I 


306 


BISTORT  OF  inffB  WAS. 


Us 


i 

i 

1 

li 

i 

fe 

['P 

^ 

1 

if 

i 

the  British^  during  the  war.  The  rest  have  heen 
built  or  purchased  during  the  war.  Those  that 
are  blank  have  no  armament  at  present. 


Itatu*       Name*  of  Vttid$.  Commandert. 


¥, 


Independence 

WasningtoD 

Franklin 

Mew-Orleans  $ 

Chippewa  § 

GueiTiere,  flag  ahip 

United  States* 

Java 

Gonstitution* 

Plattsburgh  § 

Superior 

OonstellatioA* 

Congress'* 

Maeedonian 

Mohawk 

Confianee 

Cyane 

Saratoca 

John  Adams 

General  Fike 

Madison 

JUrt 

Hornet* 

Wasp 

Peacock 

Ontario 

Erie 

Louisiana^ 

Jeflenoa 

Jonea 

EWTVttT 

Niagara 

Lawrence 

Detroit 

Eagle 

Svlph 

Cnippewa 

QtMien  ChmtoOM 

Saranae 

liinntt 

Boier 

Troup  ^ 

Onieda  *fv  -  j 

Enterpr  se* 

Flambeau 

Firefly 

Spark 


17  Schr. 

14 

II 


vmttr 
Promelhetl 
Ghent 
Caltdonia 
Etna,  bomb 
Ticonderoga 
Monsneh 
BpHirc 


Com.  Wm.Bainbridge 
Capt.  L  Obauocejr 


Com.  S.  Decatur 
J.  Shaw 
O.  H.  Perry 
C.  Stewart    . 


0.  Gordon 
C  Morris 
L>  WarringtoB 


E.  Treochard 
W.  W.  Crane 

W.  Stewart 

J.  Biddle 

J.  Blakely 

li.  Rodgers 

J.  O.  Elliot 

O.  P.  Rideely 

O.  O.  B.  Thompson 

M.  T.  Woolsej 
J.  Downs 


t.  0.  lUU 


J.  Portrf 

T.  Brown 
L.  Kearny 
J.  B.  Nicholson 
G.  W>  Rodgers 
T.  Gamble 

A.  6.  Wadsworik 


If  Alnif 


Trant 

A.  J.  XXDtf 


f* 


Siationj  ke. 

Boston 

do 
Philadelphia 
SackeCs  Harbw 

do.       do. 
Boston    . 
Mediterranean 

do. 
Boston 
Sacket's  Harbour 

do.        do. 
Mediterranean 
Mediterranean 

do. 
Sacket's  Harbor 
Lake  Champlatn 
New-York 
Lake  Champlain 
Mediterranean 
Sacket's  Barber 
dc>       do.  ^ 
Mediterranean 
New-York 
At  Sea 
New-York 
Mediterranean 

do. 
New-Orleans 
Sacket's  Harbont- 

do.       de. 
At  Sea 
Lake  Erie 
Erie,  Penn, 

do.    do. 
Lake  Cbamplaf» 
Sacket's  Harbow 
New-York 
Erie,  Pen. 
New-York 
Lake  Champlain 
New-York 
Savannah 
Sacket's  Parbenr 
New- York 

do. 

do. 

do. 
Erie.^'e 
Boston 
Erie,  Penn 
Do.      do. 
New-Orleaa« 
Lake  Champ]«fai 
West  Indies 


i. 


'■■v* 


1^ 


*fr 


BI8T0BT  OF  THE  WAB. 


307 


r'*MJ 


Ratei*      VtUMitofVtMdu  Commanders, 


W.  Cbauncey 

Hoffman 

B.  D.  Cookley 


F.  Forrest 
T-  Duiuhart 

W.  Atkinson 


f'j)k 


10  Torch 

10  Lady  preooH 
9  Tom  Bowline 
9  Alligator 
7              Roanoke 
7  Firebrand 

7  Surprise 

8  Conquest 
5  Hornet 
5  ^ox 
4  Fair  American 

4  Helen 
3  De8p:^ch 
8  Asp 

5  Porcupine 
S  Lady  of  the  Lake 
8              Pert 

5  Goyernor  Tompkins 
1  Ranger 
1               Ontario 

1  Amelia 

2  Asp  ^: 

1  Raren 
12    Sloop  President 

11  Finch 
II              Chubb 

7  Preble 

6  Montcomrr/ 
5  Buffaloe 
S              Camel 

2  Tickler 
2  Galley  Allen 
2             Burrotri 
2  Boxer 
2              Nettle 
2  Viper 
2              Centipede 
1  Ludlow  7 
1             Wilmer 

1  Alwyn 

Balfard 
Ketch  Spitfire 

Vesuviui*  .  .     « 

Vengeance 
Barges  from   No.  1  to  15,  inclusive,  en   Lake 
guns,  and  now  at  Sacket^s  Harbour. 
The  old  gun-boata  have  been  chiefly  sold. 


>**  ^i. 


•.j,^ 


•  V 


Stationf  ke» 

Do. 
Erie,  Penn. 
New-York 
New-York 
Wilmineton,  N.  0« 
New-Otleans 

Do. 
Sacket's  Harbour 
WashiogtoD,  P.  0* 
New-York 
Sacket's  Harbow 
Newcastle,  Del* 
Norfolk 
Baltimore 
Erie,  Penn. 
Sacket's  Harbow 
Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Baltimore 
Sacket's  Harbour 
Erie,  Penn. 
Sacket's  Harbour 
Do.  do. 

Lake  Champlain 
Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Philadelphia 

Do. 
New-Orleans 
Lake  Champlam 
Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do^  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do.  d«.  '' 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Do.  do. 

Norfolk  : 

New-York  ' 

Do. 
Ontario,  moooting  each 


f 


■'<»)■ 

^f''^ 

n.^;. 


■'  i 


It  would  be  a  curious  question  in  political  arith» 
metic^  to  determine  what  number  of  Americaii 
ships  and  their  rates^  would  be  sufficient  to  des- 
troy the  British  navj>  taking  the  naval  events  of. 
the  late  war  as  a  scale  by  which" to  calculate  ;  and  ; 
how  long  it  would  take  to  provI«ie  the  necessary 
number  of  vessels^  taking  the  increase  of  the  navy^. 
iuring  the  war^  as  a  ratio  ? 


If 


% 


508 


mSTOBT  <yff  TttB.  WiX. 


»•?  I'f' 


•■( 


i.^' 


m^ 


LTST  OF  AMERICAN  PRIZES^ 

Which  have  arrived^  or  been  ^^  satisfactorily  ae- 
counted  for,  <<  with  the  name  of  the  Privateers, 
&e.  and  the  number  captured  bj  each  vessel^ 
during  the  war. 


'AbvUino  of  Boitoii 
U.  S.  ship  Adams 

9oat  Alert,  of  Burlingtoo,  Lake  OhimplMa 
Alemnder  of  Salem 
Alfrea  of  Salem 
Amelia  of  Bath 
Amelia  of  Baltimore 
America  of  Salem 
Anaconda  of  NeW'York 
Argo  of  Baltimore 
U.  8<  bru;  Argut 
Argus  ot  Boston 
Atlast  of  Philadelphie 
Aven  of  Boston 
Baltimore  of  BaUiiQore 
Betlona  of  Philadelphia 
U.  8;  Barges 
Black  Joke  of  New-York 
B|«kelv  of  Boston 
Boats  from  Buffaloe 
Brutus  (if  Boston 
Buckskin  of  Salem 
Bunkerhill  of  New-York 
Cadet  of  Salem 
Caroline  of  Baltimore 
Cathaiine  of  Boston 
Ghamplain  Privateer 
Charles  Stewart  of  Bostoa 
Chasseur  of  Baltimore 
Chauncey^s  squadron  on  Lake  Ontari*) 
V.  8.  fngate  Chesapeake 
Comet  of^Baltimore 
V.  S.  frigate  Congress 
U.  S.  frkate  Oonstituttoi 
Custom  House  Barge 
Dart  of  Portland 
Bash  of  Portland 
David  Porter  of  N.  York 
Bavid  Porter  of  Boston 
Decatur  of  Newburypoit 
Betatur  of  Charleston 
Pelisle  of  Baltimore 
Diamond  of  Baltimore 
Biomede  of  Salem 
Divided  we  fall  of  New-Yeril 
Dolphin  of  BaHimere 
Dolphin  of  Salem 
Dromo  of  Boston 
Eagle  of  Chaclestott 
Xlua 

V.  S.  brig  Enterpriifr 
v.  S.  frigate  Emos 
Xssex  Junior 
Expedition  of  Bsltimei^ 
Iw  Inte  eC  Bdtm  . 


■■/£  / 


■*^i- 


it   H.» 


to 

10 

I 
a 
s 
t 
ti 

§4 

9 
1 


S 
2 
S 
0 

9 

I 

s 

i 

ft 

I 

• 

97 
St 

4 
M 

4 

IS 

1 

,  0 
0 
6 
« 
0 
It 

s 
1 
1 

9 

n 

1 

9 

1 

5 

12 

•r 
^' 
»' 


HISTOBT  OV  THE  1¥AB. 


309 


3r 

orily  ao- 
ivateersy 
1  yessel» 


VvJxj  of  Baltimore 

Fame  of  Salem 

Fame  of  Thomaitowa 

Flirt  of  n.  York 

Fly 

FoxofBalem  ' 

Fox  of  Baltimore 

Fox  of  PorU mouth 

FranUin  of  N.  York 

17.  S.  iloop  of  war  Frolic 

Frolic  of  Salem 

Full  blooded  Yankee 

Galloway  of  N.  York 

General  Armstrone  of  NewTetk 

General  Stark  of  Salem 

General  Putman  of  Salen 

Globe  of  Baltimore 

Gossamer  of  Boston 

Governor  Tompkins  of  N.  York 

Governor  M'ICean  of  Philadelphia 

Governor  Plumer  of  Portsmoolk 

Grampus  of  Baltimcyre 

Grand  Turk  of  Salem 

Growler 

17.  8.  Guo-boats 

Harp^  of  Baltimore 

Harrison  of  Baltimore 

Hawk  of  Wasbingtoft  N.  0^ 

Hiizard  . 

Henry  Guilder  of  N.  J» 

Hfrafd  of  N.  York 

Hero  of  N.  York 

Here  of  Newbern 

Hero  of  Stonington 

High  Flyer  of  Baltiai«r« 

HolkarofN.  York 

Boat  Uolkar 

Hope 

V.  B.  sleep  of  war  Hornet 

Hunter 

Ida  of  Baltimore 

Ida  of  Boston 

Industry  of  Lynn 

Industry  of  Marblehead 

Industry  of  Salem 

Ino  of  Boston 

Invincible  of  N.  York 

Invincible  of  Salem 

Jack's  Favourite  of  N.  Xptk 

Ja.  3b  Jones  of  Boston 

James  Munroe 

Jefier.«on  of  Salen 

Joel  Barlow 

Jonquil  of  N.  York 

John  of  Salem  .t 

John  and  George 

Kemp  of  Baltimore 

Xady  Madison  of  Wilmington,  N*  C> 

On  Lake  Superior 

On  Lake  Huron  , 

On  Lake  Obamplain 

Xark 

Lawrence  of  Baltimore 

Leach  of  Salem 

Jueader  orProvidenee  R.  I. 

JLMttder  of  Preridance 


fV( '^J^ '4  ''•'W^tx  M^iHt  '^ 


ji:^^fi^ 


m':X: 


1 

3 

4 

2 
St 

9 

1 
12 

1 

i 

18 

4 

i 
1 
1 

» 

a 
a 

IF 

21 

4 

S 

a 
1 
1 

s 

6 

3 
t 
7 

f 
4 
1 
1 
1 
S 

t 

4 
8 
S 
S 
6 
2 
5 

12 
1 

16 
1 
3 
S 

9 

1 
14 

3 
1 

i- 


.•■W 


-^ 


, ..  :.i 


A  •!. 


SIO 


HISTOBT  OV  TBB  WAS. 


^m 


Leo  of  Baltimore 

Leo  of  Boston 

Liberty  of  Baltimore 

Little  George  of  Boston 

Letter  of  Marque,  of  Wilmington^ 

Lovely  Cordelia  of  Charleston 

Lovely  Lass  of  Charleston 

Lyon  of  Marblehead 

Macedonian  of  Baltimore 

MacedoDian  of  Boston 

Macedonian  of  Portsmouth 

Madison  of  Salem 

Marengo  of  N^  York 

Mammoth  of  Baltimore 

M^Donough  of  Rhode-Island 

M^Donough  of  Boston 

Mars  of  Norfolk 

Mars  of  N.  York 

Mars  of  New*London 

Mary  Ami  of  Charleston 

Matilda  of  Philadelphia 

Midaa  of  Baltimore  ' 

On  Mobile  Bay 

Morgiana  of  N.  York 

Montgomery  of  Salem 

Kancy 

19'ed  of  Baltimore 

Nonpareil  of  Charleston 

Konsuch  of  Baltimore  :> 

U.  S.  schooner  Nonsuch 

Orders  in  Council  of  New-York 

Orlando  of  Gloucester 

Patriot  of  New- York 

Paul  Jones  of  New-York 

Perry  of  Baltimore 

Perry's  squadron  on  Lake  Erie 

U.  S.  sloop  of  war  Peacock 

Patapsco  of  Baltimore 

?iHe  of  Baltimore 


u 

t 

f 

1 

2 

20 

4 

1 

4 

1 

■7 

*               H 

6 

«    ■ 

t 

-   »i 

f^ 

F- 

.*• 

8 

29 
2 

r 

s 

*if 

4 

4 

9 

b  \ 

i 

10 

% 

n 

<5 

(-'■t 

1 

''.1 

1 

•  -^f 

1 

4 

1 

5 

3 

9 

11 

34 

9 

15 

3 

W 

t 

?3**' 


BISTOBT  01  THE  ITAA. 


m 


Pilot  of  Baltimore 

Polly  of  Salem 

Portsmouth  of  Portsmouth  N.  H. 

Poor  Sailor  of  Charleston 

Prince  of  Neufchatel 

Rambler  of  Bristol 

Rambler  of  Boston 

Ranger  of  Boston 

Rapid  of  Boston      ^  Ji 

Rapid  of  Charleston 

U.  S.  brig  Rattlesnake 

Rattlesnake  of  Philadelphia 

Regulator 

Reindeer  of  Boston 

Resolution  of  Boston 

Retaliation  of  New- York 

Revenge  of  Baltimore 

Revenge  of  Norfolk 

Revenge  of  Philadelphia 

Revenge  of  Salem 

Revenue  Cutters 

Roger  of  Norfolk 

Roger  of  Baltimore 

Rolla  of  Baltimore 

Commodore  Rodgers's  squadron 

Rosamond  of  New-York 

Rossie  of  Baltimore 

Rover  of  N.  York 

Row-boat  privateer 

Sabine  of  Baltimore 

At  Sandy  Creek,  by  riflemen 

Sarah  Ann  of  Baltimore 

Saranac  of  Baltimore 

Saratoga  ofN.  York 

Scourge  of  N.  York 

Saucy  Jack  of  Charleston 

Shark  of  N.  York 

Sine-qua-non  of  Boston 
Scorpion  of  Salem 
Siro  of  Baltimore 


9 

r 

9 

1 

35 
2 

5- 
3 
4 

A 

25 
1 
6 
1 
1 
9 
2 
3 
5 
S 
8 
S 
11 
19 
n8 
14 
1 
9 
5 

1 

2 

19 

29 

27 

1 

I 

S 

1 


:Jf} 


'  1 


^;lii 


-1! 


t^l; 


JiV 


t'-^f-  ■      -7  > 


ml 


•    fJ'^j  '.r 


1( 


m;8 


4  '^'t 


# 


1r 


1 


HiSTOBt  Olf  THE  HlfJL^ 

Snap  Dragon  of  Newbern  N.  C. 

Snowbird  of  Salem 

Sparrow  of  Baltimore  ^  a 

Spark  of  N.  York       a  A  i  A.    > 

Spy  of  New-Orleans 

Surprise  of  Baltimore 

United  States'  brig  Syren      a. 

Syren  of  Baltimore 

On  the  St.  Lawrence 

Tcazer  of  N.  York      i    llf        K 

Terrible  (boat) 

Thomas  of  Portsmouth  ij  j  :  ,    •, 

Timothy  Pickering 

Tom  of  Baltimore      /,  ^  ( < 

True-blooded  Yankee  *  t   .^ 

Two  Brothers  of  New-Orleans 

Two  Friends  of  Massachusetts 

Tuckahoe  of  Baltimore 

U.  S.  frigate  United  States      ^  ^  . 

Ultor  of  Baltimore  jili?^ 

United  We  Stand  of  N.  York  ^iik-^ 

Upton  (a  prize  ship)  :j,  >' 

Viper  of  N.  York  ;-L^ 

Viper  of  Salem  it 

Warrior  of  N.  York    ^?     ^ :  I;  ■ 

U.  S.  ship  of  war  Wasp  '7' •^;' 

Wasp  of  Baltimore     ^  ^  *:?*'' 

Wasp  of  Philadelphia ' 

Washington  o  Portland  ^^  ^ 

Whig  of  Baltimore 

Yankee  of  Bristol  R.  I. 

Yankee  (smack) 

Yorktown  of  N.  York 

York  of  Baltimore 

Young  Eagle  of  N.  York 

Young  Teatcr  of  N.  York 

Young.  Wasp  of  Philadelphia 

Sundry  vesselsj  names  not  known 


?3 
2 
Q 

3 
2 


S6 


2 
7 

13 
5 
5 
1 

4 

1 
1 
2 

k  . 
3 

1 

9 

16 

2 
1 

U 
38 

2 
5 

10 

^ 

u 

16 


■5V. 


*  I 


:.u 


■^>:!) 


ToUl,--*1634 


'# 


«.■-# 


APPEKBIX. 


filSTOH* 

OF   TUB 

ALGERINE  WAH. 

The  Dey  of  Algier*  took  advantage  of  the 
war  between  ISngland  and  the  United  States,  at  ^ 
a  v'onvenient  opportanity  to  attack  the  trade^  and 
to  capture  the  citizens  of  the  latter  pbwe^.  On 
the  23d  Febrnary,  1815,  the  following  confidcn. 
tial  message  from  the  President  of  the  Unite|| 
States^  was  delivered  to  both  houses  of  congress  . 

To  the  ^enats  and  House  qf  Refiresentatives   qf  tht 

United  States, 

Congress  will  have  seen,  by  the  communication 
from  the  consul  general  of  the  United  States  at  Al« 
giers,  laid  before  them  on  the  17th  November,  (8i3^ 
the  hostile  proceedings  of  the  Dey  against  that  fUtic- 
lionary.  These  have  been  followed  by  acts  of  more 
overt  and  direct  warfare  against  the  citizens  of  the 
U  iited  St<«tes  trading  in  the  Mediterranean,  some  of  |§ 
whom  are  still  detained  in  captivity,  notwithstanding 
the  attempts  which  have  been  made  to-fansom  them, 
and  are  treated  with  the  rigour  usual  ^6n  the  coast  of 
Barbary. 

The  considerations  which  ren<!ered  it  unnecessar5^ 
and  unimportant  to  commence  hostile  operations  oat 
the  p  lit  of  the  United  States,  being  now  terminated 
by  the  peace  with  Great  Britaioi  which  opens  jth» 

Bb 


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APPEWDIX. 


prospect  of  an  active  and  valuable  trade  of  thelf 
citizens  within  the  ran(>;e  of  the  Algerine  cruisers,  [ 
recommend  io  congress  the  expediency  of  an  act 
declaring  the  existence  of  a  state  of  war  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Dey  of  Algieis  ;  and  of  such 
provisions  as  may  be  requisite  for  a  vigorous  piofto^- 
cution  of  it  to  a  successful  issue.  "T 

JAMES    MADISON. 

.    Waahington,  Feb.  23,  \B 1 5,  * 

A  law  of  congress  was,  after  the  usual  rorins» 
passed,  empowering  the  President  to  take  mea- 
sures for  the  proteefion  of  tiie  couimeree  and 
seamen  of  the  United  States  ;  and  alno  to  empioy 
the  public  armed  vessels,  ami  to  eommission  pri- 
Tate  armed  vessels,  to  aet  offensively  against  tlie 
vessels,  goods^  effect^  and  subjects  of  the  Dey 
of  Algiers. 

This  measure  was  not  adopted  until  after  the 
most  satisfaetory   assurunee^  of  the  hostility  of 
the  Dey,  and  that  he  had  aetually^  put  an  end,  by 
liis  unprovoked  aggressions,  to  the  treaty  sub- 
sisting between  him  and  the  United  States.     Jn 
July,  1812,  the  Dey  extorted  from  the  American 
consul  general,  a  large  sum  of  money,  in  lieu  of 
a  quantity  of  military  stores,  whieb  be  refused  to 
accept,  falsely  alledging  that  they  were  not  equal 
in  quality  or  quantity  to  those  stipulated  by  the 
existing  treaty ;  and  then  compelled  the  consul 
and  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  quit  his  do- 
minions.    On    the  25th   August    following,  the 
American  brig  £dwin,   of  Salem,  was  taken  by 
an  Algerine  lorsair,  and  carried  into  Algiers,  as 
a  prize.     Mr.  Pollard,  of  Norfolk,   being  found 
on   board  a  Spanish  vessel,  was  also  detained  as 
a  citizen  of  the  United  States.     Captain  Smithy 
the  niaster  of  the  Edwin,  and  Mr.  Pollard,  were 
|iut  confined  to  hard  labour  ^  but  tlie  rt^st  of  the 
•     ^  •  ':, .  ■    '  .m  *i    -  .■         :    -k-.        '..:  ■  •  -  - 


IFPKNniX. 


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de  of  thelt 
!  cruisers,  f 
r  of  an  act 
letween  the 
ind  of  such 
rous  ptose- 

DISOJN-. 

ual  formSf 
take  mea- 
itnepfe  and 
to  employ 
ission  pri- 
igainst  the 
it  the  Dey 

I  after  the 
io$»tilii>  of 
an  end,  hj 
reat^  snb- 
•tHtes.     Jn 
American 
»]n  )ieu  of 
refused  to 
'  not  equ'dl 
led  by  the 
iic  consul 
uit  his  do- 
llying, the 
taken  by 
Jgiers,  as 
in^  found 
*taiued  as 
in  8iiiiih» 
ard,  \%ere 
est  of  tht 


(Captains,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  them» 
whose  release  had  been  eflTi^vted,  under  circum- 
btanees  not  indieating  any  change  of  hostih^  tem- 
per on  the  part  of  the  Dvy^  wore  8U» ,  cted  to  tlie 
well  known  horrors  of  Algerine  slavery.  •  An 
effort  of  the  United  States'  government,  to  eflreet 
the  release  of  the  citizens,  bv  treaty,  and  the 
payment  of  a  large  sum  of  money,  had  failed. 

There  never  was  a  war  commenced  with  a 
greater  share  of  general  approbation ;  and  it  re- 
mained a  wonder,  that  one  public  Journal,  (the 
Connecticut  Mirror)  should  condemn  a  measiu*e 
which  had  for  its  objecit  the  releasment  from 
slavery,  of  eleven  American  citizens,  the  punish- 
ment of  barbarism,  justly  detested  by  the  civili- 
zed world,  and  the  putting  into  glorious  prac- 
tice, the  popular  sentiment,  '^^  millions  for  dC' 
fonce,  hut  not  a  cent  for  tribute.**  * 

K  A  private  letter  from  Lisbon,  dated  2d  Mayy 
asidf  stated,  on  the  authority  of  advices  from 
Cadiz,  that  the  Algerine  admi^*al  had  put  to  sea* 
with  a  fleet  consisting  of  4  frigates,  6  corvettes, 
2  brigs,  1  zebec,  1  schooner,  1  galley,  40  gun- 
boats, and  11  bombards,  in  all  66  vessels,  mount- 
ing 463  guns,  and  having  on  board  4745  men  ;  the 
supposed  object  was  to  cruise  for  American  ves- 
sels. 

i«;  The  force  destined  by  the  United  States,  to< 
punish  the  enemy,  was  to  consist  of  the  Inde- 
pendence, 74,  Gucrriere*  44,  Macedonian,  38, 
Congress  and  Constellation,  36,  Eric,  Ontaria, 
and  Epervier,  18,  Chippewa,  16*  ^HJambeau  and 
Spark,  t'if  Spitfire  and  Torch,  10,  and  Lynx* 
(tender)  1  long  24;  in  all  44  vessels,  carryiag 
400  guns.  Some  imniatcrial  alteration  was  aj£ 
terward  made  in  this  arrangement.. 


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APPE1ID1X« 


On  the  181b  May,  1815,  the  United  Stalet* 
«c|uadt'fMi»  destined  for  the  Mediterranean,  sailed 
from  New-Yoric:  It  eonsisted  of  the  iVigatea- 
Guerriere,  (Com.  Decatur^s  flag  ship)  Captain 
Lewis  ;  Maoedonlan,  Captain  Jones  ^  Constrlla- 
tion,  Captain  Gordon;  sloop  of  war  Ontario^ 
Captain  Elliot;  bri^s  Epervier, Captain  Downs; 
Fire  Fly,  Rogers ;  Flambeau,  Nicholson ;  8park» 
Gamble ;  schooners  Spitfire,  Dallas ;  and  Torob» 
^hauncey. 

This  squadron  was  fallowed  by  that  under 
command  of  Com.  Bainbridge,  consisting  of  tho 
Independence,  74^,  sloop  of  war  fificy.  18,  bri|^ 
Chippewa,  16,  and  schooner  Lynx* 

The  United  States*  brigs  Boxer»  Saraaae,  and 
Knterprize  sailed,  in  August,  for  the  Mediterra- 
nean. The  brig  Fire- Fly  had  sailed  some  time 
previous  for  the  same  destination,  but  was  eom- 
pelled  to  return  to  repair  damages  sustained  in  a 
gale*  The  Ontario,  and  some  of  the  light  ves- 
sels arrived  at  Gibraltar  on  the  isth  June»  and 
Commodore  Decatur,  With  the  rest  of  his  flM|uatl^ 
rmiu  CHI  tl^  14th  ;  and,  on  the  evening  of  that 
day^  ail  the  vessels  proceeded  to  their  destinai* 
tion. 

The  following  letters  will  explain  some  of  ihm 
proceedings  in  the  Mediterranean. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  the  American  consul  at  All* 
cantei  to  the  secretary  of  state,  dated* 

McanSe^  June  2 1 «/»  1815. 
Sir — I  have  |he  honour  to  inform  you,  that,  by  a> 
letter  this  m^ent  received  from  my  vice-consul, 
Nichalas  Driale,  at  Carthagena,  I  learn  that  the  first 
division  of  our  squadron,  under  Commodore  Decatur^ 
had  appeared  off  that  port,  and  sent  in  an  Algerine 
frigate  of  44  guns  and  500  men,  captured  off  Capo 
de  Gatt,  after  a  short  engagementi  during  which  tUo 


AFPBNfflX. 


Sir 


conMnander  of  the  Algerine  vt^  killed.  Our  loss 
consisted  of  four  men.  The  Coi  tnodon  had  iit 
in  a  schooner  for  refrcAliment)  and  other  ncccsh  a^ 
with  which  she  immediately  sailed  for  the  flet  .«- 
The  prize  must  perform  ten  days  quarantiiK  I 
shall  set  off  within  two  hours  for  that  place  in  ordei 
to  make  further  provision  for  the  fleeti  if  necessary, 
and  render  every  other  service  in  my  power — from 
theoce  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  addressing  yoUf 
and  advise  wha^  further  may  occur. 

With  sentiments  of  the  highest  respect*  I  am)  sir, 
y^ur  most  obedient  servant* 

ROBKRT  MONTGOMERY. 
To  the  honourable  the  secretary  of  state,  > 

tlopy  of  a  letter  from  the  American  consul  at  Cadis 

i/;«  to  the  secretary  of  statC)  dated 
*i!:t^inH»-*li^  y-^'i-  CoTisulate  of  the  United  States^ 

^i':  Cadizy  June  27 j  181 6.    ,,^^ 

„rSiR— .1  have  much  pleasure  in  referring  you  to  the 
subjoined  statement,  for  the  interesting  and  impor- 
tant information  it  contains,  which  i  doubt  not)  in  a 
great  part  may  be  relied  on.  The  informant  adds, 
that  about  400  prisoners  had  been  landed  from  the 
prize  frigate,  and  that  but  few  had  been  saved  from 
the  brig.  The  wind  bting  now  from  the  S.  W, 
makes  it  probable  that  the  particulars  of  this  action 
from  the  commodore,  will  not  come  to  hand  for  some 

With  much  respect,  I" have  the  honour  to  be,  fiec. 

RICH'D  S.  HACKLEY.,4 
ffon*  James  Monroe^  secretary  (if  state, 

-  'A  letter  of  which  the  following  is  a  cepy^  aa* 
Bounced  the  arrival  of  the  American  squadron 
at  Qibraitar,  after  a  passage  of  ^S^davs. 

#opy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Decatur  to  the^ 
riecretary  of  the  navyj  (received  vin  JCfgrfolkVi 
Miat«d> 


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'   '  i;^f/frf  5/flrft'  §Mft  Guerrifre, 

Off  Gibraltar,  June  \5,\B\ 5., 
Sir— I  haye  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  our  mp« 
rival  off  this  place  on  the  1 5th,  after  a  pasnage  of  95 
days,  having  previously  communicated  with  Cadiz 
and  Tangieri.  The  Spitfire,  Torch,  and  Firefly, 
separated  from  the  squadron  during  a  gale  of  wind 
on  the  86th  ult.  and  the  Ontario  on  the  3ist. 

I  am  happy  to  find  they  have,  with  the  exception  of 
the  Firefly,  all  arrived ;  the  latter  vessel  1  fear  may 
have  lost  her  spars,  and  have  returned  to  the  United 
States.  From  all  tiiie  information  I  can  collect,  I  feel 
i  assured,  that  the  Algerines  have  ret**rned  into  the 
Mediterranean.  The  vessels  that  had  separated  from 
us,  are  now  joining,  and  1  shall  proceed  in  seaixh  of 
l|.-     the  enemy  forthwith. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  respectfully.  See. 
■^  STEPHEN  DECATUR-^ 

The  commodore  lost  no  time  in  the  proseou* 
lion  of  his  olycet ;  soareely  arrived  in  the  medi- 
terranean, he  eommenced  to  pay  trilmte  to  %h% 
barbarians,  as  will  be  boHt  explained  by  his  letter 
to  the  secretary  of  war^  of  wliicU  the  foUdwing 
it  a  copy:  ^^^ 

Extract  qfa  tetter  frtnn  Commodore  Stephen  Deca* 
/wr,  to  the  secretary    qf  the  navy^  ( received  viti 
,    ^        JHorfolk,)  dated^  ^.mk    >,m 

United  States*  ship  Guerriere|^>^i 
'«  «         OfTCarthagena,  June  19,   1815. 

«  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  1 7tli^ 
ilnst.  off  Cape  de  Gatt,  the  squadron  fell  in  with  and 
eaptured  an  Aljserine  frigate  of  46  guns,  and  between 
^  4  and  500  men,  commanded  by  Rais  Hammida,  who 
bore  the  title  of  admiral ;  she  struck  her  flag  after 
a  running  fight  of  35  minutes. 

M  The  admiral  was  liiiled  at  the  eommencement  of 
the  action.  After  the  Querriere  (who  from  her  fa- 
vourable position  was  enabled  to  bring  the  enemy  to 
close  action)  had  fired  two  broadsides^  the  en«my> 


^^, 


t.'M,.  ■ 


Sr 


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APPBNDIX^it4 


$i^ 


errifrff 
S  1815.. 
of  our  ar* 
age  of  95 
kh  Cadiz 
Q  FircfljT, 
B  of  wind 

ception  of 
fear  may 
le  United 
lect,  I  feel 

into  the 
'ated  from 

search  of 


\TUR.  ■ 

proseeu- 
he  Medi. 
€  to  ih^ 
his  letter 
following 

:eived  via 

n^  ■'■  &v 
erriere,.  ,4? 
,  1815.  'f 
fitbe  irtli 
with  and 
1  between 
nida,  who 
flag  after 

sement  of 
n  her  fa- 
enemy  to 
16  6neiDy> 


with  the  exception  of  a  few  musketeers,  ran  below. 
The  Guerriere  had  four  men  wuunded  by  mutket 
ahot  which  la  the  only  injury  dune  by  the  enemy  in 
this  affuir. 

<'  We  have  406  prisoners,  including  the  wounded* 
The  prisoners  state  that  about  thirty  were  killed  and 
thrown  overboard. 

<*  Their  squadron  is  said  to  be  cruising  in  our  vi-. 
cinity  :  five  days  ago  they  w*  re  off  thi^i  place  ;  unlest 
I  obtain  some  further  intelligence  of  them  by  tomor«> 
row,  1  sUdU  procted  to  the  port  of  Algiers,  in  tho 
hopes  to  intercept  their  return.      For  the  present*  I 
have  determined  to  send  the  prize  Into  Carthagena.'* 

On  the  20tli  June,  Hie  Commodore  cemmuni* 
oated  a  second  victory,  in  a  letter,  in  the  follow-^ 
ing  words:  ^ 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Commodore  Decatur  to  thft 
Secretary  of  the  P9  a vy,  dat(d 

United  States*  shift  Querriere,  ojf 

Cafie  Palos^June  20,  \^\5.     I 
Sir— I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  on  the 
19th  inst  off  cape  Palos,  the  squadron  under  m/  com*, 
mand  ci^ptured  an  Algerine  Brig  of  twenty«two  guns, 
and  one  hundred  and  eighty  men.     After  a  chase  of 
three  hours,  she  ran  into  shoal  water,  where  I  did 
not  think  it  advisable  to  follow  with  our  large  ships^' 
but  despatched  the  Epervier,  Spark,  Torch,  amd  Spit* 
fire   to  whom  she  surrendered,  after  a  short  resis* 
tance.    Twenty-three  men  were  found  dead  on  board*^ 
We  received  Irora  her  eighty  priaouers,  the  residuill 
«f  her  crew  having  left  her  in  boats.     Many  of  them 
must  have  been  kilted  by  the  fire  of  our  vessels,  and 
one  of  thQ  boats  was  sunk.     None  of  our  vessels  sua* 
tained  any  damage,  nor  waa  there   a  man  killed  01^ 
wounded.      This  brig  is  larger  than  the  Epervier— ^ 
was  built  in    Algiers,  five  years  ago,  by  a  Soanislr 
c^sti'uctor,  the  fame  who  built  the  frigate  captured^ 
on  the  17th  inst.  and  is  perfectly  sounds 
C'l  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  lee. 

BTEPUEN  ^ECATUi^ 


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APPENDIX. 


<> 


'  Commodopp  Bainbridge  arrived  atCarlliagena 
early  in  August,  Tviih  the  second  American  squad- 
ron, whence  he  proceeded  to  Algiers,  Tripoli^ 
and  Tunis,  in  order  to  make  a  dis[)lay  of  his 
force,  the  respectable  appearance  of  which  couid 
Hot  fail  to  make  a  deep,  useful,  and  it  may  be 
hoped  a  lasting  impression.  Having  performed 
this  service,  the.  Commodore  sailed  to  Malaga, 
and  thence  to  Gibraltar,  where  he  stopped  some 
time,  and  reciprocated  compliments  with  the 
British  Comniander  in  Chief,  thence  the  squad* 
ton  sailed  for  th#  United  States,  and  arrived  at 
Newport,  the  15th  November. 

Commodore    Bainbridge  was  joined  while  at 

I  Malaga  by  all  Commodore  Decatur's  squadron 
•except  his  own  ship.  It  was  as  gratifying  to  tlie 
American  as  it  was  probably  mortifying  to  Abe 
^  Englishman^  t^  see  such  a  fleet,  in  a  British 
port,  and  that  so  soon  after  the  termination  of  a 
war  which  was  to  have  annihilated  the  <<  Lillipu- 
tian navy."  •  i 
^  On  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  Gibraltar,  an 
understanding  was  had  between  Comtnodore 
Bainbridge  and  the  British  commander,  that  a 
fialute  of  fifteen  guns  would  be  fired  froih  the 

^  squadron,  and  alike  number  returned  from  the 
fort.  By  mistake  seventeen  guns  were  fired 
ft'om  the  Independence,  the  commodore  immedl- 
Mely  despat^lied  an  ofiicer  to  acquaint  the  com- 
mander of  the  mistake  ;  but  before  the  oflleeif 
reached  the  commander^  orders  were  given  to 
fire  two  nioreg;uns,  in  addition  to  the  fifteen  al- 
ready fired.  Tnis  circumstance  is  material  only, 
as  far  as  it  goes  to  prove  the  distinguished  re- 
^  spect  shown  to  the  American  flag  ;  a  respect  for. 
f  the  proud  fruit  of  deteriuiaed  valour  andeojk;. 
iwnumate  {'ludence. 


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APPRKDIX* 


321 


The  situation  in  vihivh  the  American  ehairae- 
ter  was  about  to  be  plaeed«.  was  truly  envious.-^ 
A  few  months  after  causing  the  greatest  naval 
power  in  Europe  to  liaul  down  its  proud  flag* 
the  Amerieans  were  destined,  by  aid  of  the  sbip» 
•aptured  from  England,  to  speak  thunder  to 
those  piratieal  monarchs  of  Afriea^  to  whom  I  hat 
yery  England  was  in  the  habit  of  paying  tribute* 
II  remained  for  Ameriea»  infant  America,  the 
Dountry  of  Washington  and  Franklin,  to  break 
up  a  system  which  was  if  possible,,  more  dis* 
graceful  to  the  civilized  nations  who  submittefl 
to  it,  than  to  the  barbarous  states  who  imposf^d  it. 
But  America,  by  the  use  she  made  of  vicloryt 
has  gained  for  herself  an  honour,  and  been  rais- 
ed to  a  pinnacle  of  glory,  to  which  no  victory»^ 
however  splendid,  could  have  raised  her.  The 
favourite  maxim  of  the  nation  was  and  is  **  miU 
lions  for  defence^  hut  not  a  cent  for  tribute.**-^ 
True  to  thm  policy,  she  made  it  a  sine  qua  non 
of  peace,  and  this  being  concluded,  the  humbled 
enemy,  was  permitted  to  take  back  those  ships> 
which  was  to  remain  forever  innocent,  as  res* 
peeted  the  great  western  nation.  Which  of  the^^ 
haughty  masters  of  enslaved  Europe  has  eveir 
given  such  proof  of  magnanimity  or  of  modera* 
tion  in  the  midint  of  victory  so  complete?  ,?   ,^4t»i^ 

Commodore  Decatur  arrived  before  Algiersf 
on  the  29tli  June,  and  hoisted  a  flag  of  truce  on 
board  the  Guerriere,  with  the  Swedish  flag  at 
the  main.  A  boat  came  off  with  Mr.  Norderlingf 
eonsol  of  Sweden,  and  the  Captain  of  the  port, 
to  whom  the  capture  of  the  frigate  and  hrUg  was 
communicated,  and  to  whom  Commodore  Deca- 
tur and  William  Thaler,  Esq.  uciing  as  commis- 
sioners to  niigoti  ate  a  peace,  deli%'ered  a  lettcp 
for  the  Dey^  from  the  President  of  the  United 


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States ;  and  aUo  a   note  from  thertiselvesy    of 
\ii'lii()li  thefollowjn|^  is  a  eopy  :  r     *r» 

3FAe  Americans  Commisaionera  to  the  Dey  of  Algiers, 

The  undersigned  have  the  honour  to  inform  his 
highness  the  of  dey  Algiers,  that  thpy  have  been  ap- 
fiointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  A- 
merica,  commissioners  plenipotentiary,  to  treat  o 
peace  with  his  hifhnes^,  and  that  pursuant  to  theif 
instructions,  they  are  ready  to  open  u  negociation  for 
the  restoration  of  p/»ace  and  harmony  between  the 
two  countries,  otr  terms  just  and  honourable  to  both 
parties  ;  and  they  feel  it  incumbent  on  them  to  state 
explicity  to  his  highness,  that  they  are  instructed  to 
tjreat  upon  no  other  principle,  than  that  of  perfect 
equality,  and  on  the  terms  of  the  most  favoured  OAf 
tions:  no  stipulation  for  puying  any  tribute  |to  Al- 
giers, under  any  form  whatever,   will  be   agreed  to. 

Yhe  undersigned  have  the  hotiour  to  transmit  here- 
with, a  letter  frotn  the  PresidetU  of  the  U.  States,^ 
and  the>  avail  themselves  of  this  occasion  to  assure 
his  highness  of  their  high  conQideration  and  profound 
respect.  '^ 

"*'  The  Captain  of  the  port  then  requeBt(^  fhial 
hostilities  should  eeaie  preceding  the  negoiiflitiony 
and  that  persons  migtit  be  sent  ashore  to  treat. 
Both  propositions  were  rejected,  the  Americari 
cotnmissioners  deehiring  that  the  negotiationl^ 
musf  he  earried  On,  on  hoard  the  fleet,  and  that 
hostilities  as  fe*e8p'MUed  vessels,  should  not  eedse. 
On  the  following  da}',  the  Swedish  consul  and 
the  captain  of  the  poH  eaine  on  hoard  with  full 
powers  to  negotiate.  The  Anierican  coipmis- 
Bloners  produced  the  ntedel  of  a  ti^eaty  >^hich 
they  declared  would  noH  be  departed  froth  in  sub- 
stance. Every  attempt  on  the  pa(rt  of  Algiers, 
to  obtain  a  modifioation  of  ft  proved  fruitless, 
evettihe  restoration  of  the  captured  vessels  was 
positively  refused.     Upoh   consideration,  ho w- 


■•it■ 


'-■k. 


tof 


■<^' 


;<-..  * 


^^ 


^ 


APPBlroiX. 


itl^ 


■l^.' 


ever*  the  Ai  lerioan  commissioners  resolved  to 
restore  the  captured  vessels  as  a  /Ifit?or,  and  not  % 
as  mutter  ot'ticatv,  gi^iug  <he  \lgerines  to  uii« 
derstand,  that  even  tiiis  would  depend  on  the 
signinj^of  the  treaty  as  presented.  The  Alge* 
rine  <  aptain  then  proposed  a  truce,  to  doiiberata 
on  the  pr0i>0!»ed  terms,  the  reply  was,  <*  not  a 
minute  ;  if  your  squadron  appears  in  sight  be- 
fore the  treaty  ia  actuahy  signed  by  the  dey,  and 
the  prisoners  sent  off,  ours  wouhl capture  them  !'' 
It  i%as  finally  agreed  that  hostilities  should  cease 
^hen  the  Algerine  boat  sUouid  be  perceived 
coming  off  with  a  white  flag  hoisted,  the  Swed- 
ish co^'sul  plidginghis  word  of  honour  not  to 
hoist  it  unless  the  treaty  was  signed,  and  the 
prisoners  in  the  boat.  The  Swedish  eonsul  and  ■" 
Aigerine  captain  returned  on  shore,  and  although 
the  distance  was  full  five  niiles,  they  came  bai^k 
within  three  hours  with  the  treaty  signed,  and 
having  with  them  the  prisoners  who  were  to  bo 
rete-ised  from  captivity  by  the  terms  of  the 
treaty. 

By  the  terms  of  thiai  treaty,  the  dey  has 
agreed  :  I'hat  »•  no  tribute,  either  as  biennial 
presents,  or  under  asiy  form  or  name  whatever, 
shall  ever  be  required  by  the  dey  and  regency 
of  Algiers,  from  the  United  States  of  \meriea." 

I'hatthedey  shall  deliver  up  to  the  Ameri-. 
can  squadron  •*  all  the  Americaii  citizens  no\^ 
in  their  possessiont  amounting  to  ten,  more  or 
less/'  ,..., 

*<  A, lust  and  fttll  eomiiensation  shall  be  made- 
hy  the  dey  of  Algiers  to  sueh  citizens  of  tho 
United  States  as  have  bet^n  captured  and  detain- 
ed hy  Algerine  eruizers,  or  who  have  byen 
fowed  to  abandonJheir  projierty  in  Algiers,  in 
«iiiiiitiou  of    the  _,twenty- second  article  of  tht. 


'  ,* 


•^•• 


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m 


1 

w 


f»i 


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Im 


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m 


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a 


4^  Ai^iirlif  X. 


iJ^ 


*   # 


^^ 


Ireafy  of  jwliWi  and  amity,  e^^etudiNf  ibetw«sili 
»  the  linited  Stales  and  the  dey  of  Algivrst,  on  the 
5<h  of  September.  1795."  ^ 

••  And  it  is  agreed  between  the  ^onlracting 
'  fiarties,  that  in  lieu  of  the  above,  thetfey  of  Al- 
giers shattieause  to  be  delivered  farihwiith  into 
the  hands  of  f he  American  i-onaulu  residing  at 
Algiei^,  the  whole  of  a  quantit.^.  of  bales  ofooi- 
ton«  left  by  the  late  consul  general  of  the  Lnited 
States*  in  the  pubiio  magazines  in  Algiers,  and 
that  he  shall  |^y  into  the  hands  of  the  saidoun* 
Bul  the  sum  often  thousand  Spanish  dfdhirs." 

*<That  no  citizenor  solyect  of  either  party«  or 
their  pro(H>rtv  if  ftiuiid  on  board  the  vessel  of 
any  power  with  whieh  either  may  lie  herf*after 
at  War,  shall  be  detained  or  eonlis«ated  ;  and^ 
on  no  pftit^i  ee,  sball-jmy  eitiasen  of  the  IJnited 
States,  be  )i^i]c|^fter  kept  in  a  oiate  of  slavery  bj 
thedey.'*       "^  ?  •' 

••  Vessels  of  either  of  the  eontraeting  partieSf 
putting  into  the  ports  of  the  other,  and^iaviiig 
need  of  provisions  or  other  supplies,  sl^ll  bo 
fiirnished  at  the  mar|L^|  priee-^-and  if  iiily  sueh 
Vessel  should  so  put  til  from  a  distanee  at  sea> 
and  have  Occasion  to  repair,  lie  ^lull  beat  li<« 
be r ty  to  land,  ^|fid  re-embark  her  cargo,  with* 
o^tt  paying  any  Customs  or  duties  whalevtr^  but 
in  no  case  fthtiU  she  be  eompelied  to  land  her 
cai*go.'*  ■■  iifs«if$ri#^^'^|i'' 

*•  That  sliould  a  yes^ein^ either  of  the  eon* 
tracting  partie%|>e  east  o>6  siitire  within  the  tei^ 
ritories^  the  oilier,  aH  |fro(ier  assftistRnce^nld 
be  g^n  to  the  erew-^ntf  piliage  shall  be  &ttow^ 
fd.**   \  I  ■'".'.*,■      '  ■  i^  ■  'f 

••The  con»ul  of  the  United  States  of  Atoiei 
ricH,|shall  not  be  resfionsible  far  the  debts  con^ 
ti^aetld  by  eitizeat  ^  Ms  ayifu  nation,  uidtm 


ii^.) 


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APPENDIX. 


a.. 


i  tietw€«ll 
;r»,  on  the 

onlracting 
te,y  ©f  Ai- 
ivvith  iDto 
e»iiiiog  at 
les  ot'fsoi- 
the  Lniled 
Igiers*  and 
V  said  Qua* 
tillarit..'' 
r  pai*ly«  op 
Vfssi*!  of 
lierf*at'ler 
itvd  ;  and* 
rite  L^iiiifd 
slavery  bj 

ng  partiaSf 
mtHiaviiig 

fthail  Ijo 

aiiy  8ii«li 
ie  at  sea> 

be  at  lt« 
I'gOf  with- 
ilevM**  bill 

land  her 


Tli-^-if.  ^^  , 


the  eon* 
in  the  tep» 
nee  $Notild 
be  nfloxr- 

U    s 
.t  .V  - 

of  A  me*' 
ebfs  eiio* 
fUp  ttUilefifll 


-■*:" 


^ 


# 


3id> 


*># 


]po  previously  gives  wi'itteu   oliligalions  so  to 

'  "  That  if  any  christian  slave  should  make 
their  escaue,  unci  go  on  hoard  any  ship  of  war  of 
the  United  States  that  may  he  before  the  city 
of  Algiers,  Ihey  shall  not  he  required  back  agairif 
nor  shall  any  payment  he  required  for  the  said 
christians."  ^     * 

*•  That  as  the  government  of  the  United 
States  of  America  has  in  itself  no  character  of 
enmity  against  the  laws,  religion^  or  tranquility 
of  any  nation,  and  as  the  said  States  have  never 
entered  into  any  voluntary  war  or  act  of  hostili- 
ty* except  in  defence  of  their  just  rights  on  the 
high  seas,  it  is  declared  by  the  contracting  par- 
ties, that  no  pretext  arising  from  religious  opi- 
nions shall  ever  produce  an  interruption  of  the 
harmony  existing  between  the  two  nations  ;  and 
the  consuls  and  agents  of  both  nations  shall  have 
liberty  to  celebrate  the  rites  of  their  respective 
religions  in  their  own  houses." 

**  The  consuls  respectively  shall  have  liberty 
and  personal  security  given  them  to  travel  with- 
in the  territories  of  each  other,  boi  h  by  land  and  * 
sea,  and  shall  not  be  prevented  from  going  on 
board  any  vessels  they  may  think  proper  to  visit  r 
they  shall  likewise  have  the  liberty  to  appoint  ■>. 
their  own  drogoman  and  broker*" 

«  In  case  of  any  dispute  arising  from  the  vio- 
lation of  any  of  the  articles  of  this  treaty,  no  ap- 
peal sliall  be  made  to  arras,  nor  shall  war  be  de- 
clared on  any  pretext  whatever ;  but  if  the  con- 
sul residing  at  the  place  where  the  dispute  shall 
happen,  shall  not  be  able  to  settle  the  same,  Ihe 
]g«vernment  of  that  country  shall  state  their 
grievance  in  writing,  and  transmit  the  same  to 
ihe  government  of  the  other,  and  the  ^riod  of 


J^ 


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t: 


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ll 

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AFFEKDil. 


three  months  sbali  lie  allowed  for  answers  io  bis 
returned,  during  which  time  no  hostility  shall  hm 
permitted  by  «ither  party;  and  in  ease  the 
grievances  are  not  redressed,  and  a  war  should 
]bi9  the  event,  the  consuls  and  citizens  and  Bub- 
jects  of  b^th  parties  respectively,  ihidl  be  peN 
mitted  to  einbark  with  their  effects  unmolested, 
on  board  of  what  vessel  or  vessels  they  shall 
think  proper,  reasonable  time  being  allowed  for 


]j|      that  purpose 


?> 


"■*-«iJi  -I 


**t 


<«  if  in  the  course  or  events,  a  war  shoufld 
break  out  betwi^en  the  two  nations,  the  prisoners 
captured  by  either  party  sliali  not  b^  made 
slaves,  they  shall  not  be  forces)  to  hard  labotir» 
OF  other  confinement  than  such  as  may  be  ne- 
cessary to  secure  their  safe  keeping,  and  shall 
be  exchanged  rank  for  rank  ;  and  it  is  agreed 
that  prisoners  shalj, 4^be  exchanged  in  twelve 
moniiis  after  their  capture,  and  the  exchange 
may  be  effected  by  any  private  individual,  legally 
authorised  by  tather  of  the  parties.*' 
>^  <*  If  any  of  the  ISarbary  states  or  other  powers 
at  war  with  the  United  States,  shall  capture 
^eny  American  vessel,  and  send  her  into  any  port 
of  the  regency  of  Algiers,  they  shall  not  be  per- 
mitted to  sell  her,  but  shall  be  forced  to  depart 
4heport,  on  procuring  the  requisite  supplies  of 
provisions^;  but  the  vessels  of  war  of  the  United 
States,  with  jiny  prices  they  may  capture  from 
their  enemies  shall  have  liberty  to  frequent  the 
ports  of  Algiers,  for  refreshments  of  any  kind, 
and  to  such  pi'izes^  iil  the  said  ports,  without 
( any  other  customs  or  duties,  than  such  as  are 
eui^omary   on  ordinary    commercial   importa- 

«*  If  any  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or 
any  person  ui.  ^^r  their  protection^  sbail  have 


'*= 


^^ 


m 


mx» 


s^ 


m- 


-any  flisputes  with  each  other,  the  oonsul  shall 
decide  t>etween  the  parties ;  and  whenever  the 
consul  shall  require  any  aid  or  assistance  from 
the  government  of  Algiers,  to  enforec  his  deei- 
sioiis,  it  shall  be  immediately  granted  to  Jiim  ^ 
And  iTany  disputes  shall  arise  between  any  ehi- 
zens  of  the  United  Spates  and  the  eitizens  or 
sulyects  of  any  other  nation  having  a  oonsul  ov 
agent  in  Algiers,  such  disputes  shall  be  settled  by 
the  consuls  or  agents  of  the  respective  nation; 
and  any  disputes  or  suits  at  law,  that  may  take 
[^lace  between  any  citizens  of  the  United  States 
and  the  subjects  of  the  regency  of  Algiers,  shall 
l»c  decided  by  the  Dey  in  person,  and  no  other.'^ 
«'  If  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  s!:ould  kill, 
<wound,  or  strike  a  subject  of  Algiers,  or^  on  the 

K^4)ontrary,  a  subject  of  Algiers  should  kill,  wound, 
or  strike  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  the  law 

^of  the  country  shatl  take  place,  aiide^^ual  ju3*"t^ 

r.^lice  shall  be  rendered*,  the  consul  assisting  at  the 
trial ;  but  the  sentence  of  punishniient  against  an    ^ 
Amerioan  citizen  shall  not  be*  greater  or  moro 
severe,  then  It  would  be  against  a  Turk  iin^  the 
same  predicament ;  and  if  any  delinquent  should 

.  /luake  his  escape,  the  eonsul  shall  not  l>e  respon- 
sible lor  him  in  any  manner  whatever.'* 

**The  consul  of  the  United   States  of  A  me- f^- 
I'iea  shall  not  be  required  to  pay  any  customs  oc 
ilutics  whatever  on  any  thing  faeimports  from  a 
foreign   country  for  the   use  ^f  his  house  and 
lamity." 

"Siiould  any  of  the  citizen  of  .'.e   United 

States  of  America  die  with  ill  the  limits  of  the 

regency  of  Algiers,  the  Dey  and  his  subjects  shall 

not  interfere  with  the  properly  of  the  dcseased^ 

(,  but  shall  be  under  the  immediate  direction  of 

.^  the  eoiiauli  unless  otherwise  disposed  of  by  w  ill.'* 


Nl 


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"*;. 


^sSSS 


APPEKDIX. 


The  bistorian  lias  an  unpleasant  fask,  in  be- 
ing compelled  to  close  the  detail  of  suoli  glorious 
•xploitSy  by  recounting  a  nnsfortuno  wbicby  ^vhile 
it  takes  nothing  from  the  lustre  of  our  arm?^ 
sinks  grief  deep  into  the  heart  of  (he  citizen. 
-r    The  United  States  armed   in  defence  of  their 

%  national  rights,  and  the  liberty  of  the  citizen. 
]«Vom  the  deck  of  his  floating  battery,  Decatur 
demanded  the  release  of  his  fellow  citizens  held 
in  bondage:    the   African  tyrant  trembled,  the 

^.  citizen's  chains  fell  from  his  limbs,  and  he  was 
freed-*-but,  alas !  the  exultation  was  momentary. 
The  United  States'  brig  of  war  Epervier  was 
despatched  to  the  United  States  to  announce  the 
glad  tidings,  but  she  did  not  reach  her  destina- 
tion. She  sailed  on  the  10th  July,  was  seen  on 
the  Sth  August  in  lat.  59,  4,  N.  long.  61,  18,  W. 
imder  double, reefed  topsails  ;  the  next  day  there 
^^^  vhsa  very  licavy,  blow,  and  she  probably  foun-* 
dered  duHng  the  gale;  If  not  then,  she  must 

'  ba^'c  been  lost  by  soihe  subsequent  mishap,  as 
from  the  length  of  time  since  she  was  seen,  no 
hope  remains  of  her  safety;  and  not  one  Mir- 
vived  to  tell  the  mournful  event.  On  board  her 
were  Lt.  Com.  Shubrick;  Lieut.  Barnwell ;  liieut. 
Pruvy  ;    sailing   master  Wright;    midshipmen 

%  Coulter,  and  Hunter,  and  several  others.  Pas- 
sengers, Capt.  Lewis ;  Lieuts.  Neal  and  Yarnell. 
The  Amcricai^  released  at  Algiers  were  also  on 
board,  ^ 


# 


THE   £KD. 


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.•»*'£iii'     '4****   •**■ 


^        > 


•.If; 


Accomack  ( Va.)  Tniliday  bravery  of,  234. 

Act  declaring  war,   19  ;  vote  of  Congress,  17. 

Adams  frigate,  destruction  of  the,  349. 

Adams  and  Caledoaia,  (brigs)  retaken  from  the  ene* 

mj,  58i 
Alert,  British  sloop  of  war,  taken  bj  the  Essex,  46. 
Alexandria,  plund{^r  of,  231  ;  bold  attempt  by  com « 

modore  RoUgers,  captains  Perry  and  Porler,  to 
;  prevent  the  return  of  the  enemy,  i^.  ■ 

Algeriue  declaration  of  war,  SOS. 
Algcrines,  proceedings  against)  by  the  United  States^ 

see  Appendix.  '- 

Allen,  captain,  bravery  0^343. 
Appendix,  31 3i  ,;.     4«v  . 

Argus,  U.  S.  brig,  capture  of^the,  l^S* 
Armistice  on  the  northern  frontier)  41 ;  termination 

of,  43. 
Army,  state  of  the,  2 1 . 

Arrest  of  a  supposed  Spy,  31.  ^^ 

Asp,  U*  S.  schooner,  brave  defence  of  the,  177. 
Baltimore)  approach  to,  and  attack- on,  332. 
Barbarity  of  the  enemy,  102,  1 84. 
Barney,  commodore,  encounters  of,  with  the  enemy, 

323,  236 ;  destruction,  of  his  flotilla,  228. 
Barratarians,  capture  and  dispersion  of  the,  293. 
Beaver  Dams,  engagement  at^  (01  •. 
Belfast  entered  by  the  enemy,  250. 
Black  Rock  visited  by  the  enemy,  104^ 
Blue  Li«:hts,  193.  ^^ 

Boxir,  British  brig,  taken  by  the  Enterprize,  149.' 
Burrows  and  Blythe,  captainS)  funeral  honours  tO)  152.' 
Bridgewater,  battle  of,  25d^ 
Belview,  Fort ;  see  Fort  Belview. 
Boyi)  General)  succeeds  General  Dearborn,  lOTl' 


% 


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339 


150EX.    % 


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.U 


British  subjects,  order  respecting,  26. 

Brownstown,  buttle  at>  40.  4  i, 

Castine  taken  by  the  enemyi  249.  >{ 

Ceilcr-point,  landing  of  the  enemy  at,  225. 

Chanipiain,  arrival  of  »rand  British  army  at,  267  ; 
arrival  of  before  Plattsburgh,  268  ;  engagement 
ivitU  the  American  army,  271  ;  retreat  of  the  ene« 
my,  273. 

Champluin  lake,  engagement  on«  269.  ,> 

Chi'adler  and  Winder,  generals,  capture  of,  96.       "'* 

Chapin,  captain,  escape  of,  103  ;  skiri.as'  with  the 
enemy,  108  :  expedition  of,  against  the  enemy, 
109  ;  affair  near  fort  George  156. 

Chaptico,  affair  at,  337  »  «; 

Chateaguay,  battle  at,  1 57. 

Chauncey,  commodore,  cruises  ^nd  transaciions  of, 
on  lake  Ontario,  71,  83.  110  to. 115. 

Chesapeake  frigate,  .restoration  of  the  seamen  of,  by 
the  enemy,  26:  arrival  of,  from  a  cruise,  79;  cap- 
ture of  90 ;  extract  from  a  French  paper  respect- 
ingf  94 ;  treatment  of  the  crew,  91. 

Chesapeake  bay,  transactions  in  the,  182.  vTi 

Chicago,  attack  on,  and  massacre  at,  66. 

Chippewa,  skirmishing  near,  251  ;  battle  at,  35^.     '~ 

Citizens  of  the  U.  States  ordered  to  quit  Canada,  45. 

Commissioners  to  negotiate  a  peace,  appointment  of^ 
SOO  ;  by  the  British  government,  301. 

Congress,  proceedings  of,  16,  194^. 

Congress,  frigate,  arrival  of  the,  from  a  cruise,  193. 

Constitution,  frigate,  28;  engagement  of,  with  the 
Java,  72. 

Cranberry  creek,  affair  at,  108. 

Croghan,  major  George,  defence  of  Lower  Sandusky 
by,  129. 

Cumberland  Island,  landing  of  the  enemy  at,  394^ 

Cuyler,  major,  death*  of^  59. 

Cyane  and  Levant,  British  sloops,  capture  of  the,  39  fr. 

Biirt,  British  arme4  sioopi  capture  pi  the,  191. 

^arlKOor  prisonj  massacre  at,  302. 


m 


iNDBX. 


531 


DcarboiTi,  general,  retires  from  the  army,  lOr. 

Dearborn f  foi'ti  massacre  at,  see  Chicago. 

Decatur,  commodore,  fleet  u>idcr  command  of,  sails 

from  New- York,   185  ;  chased  into  ]ye\7-London, 

1P6. 
Declaration  of  war  by  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  106. 
Detention  of  prisoners  of  war,  by   the  enemy,  under 

pretext  that  they  were  Bfitish  subjects,  reprisals   .. 

-210,211;  proceedings  oi  CongrcKs  thereon,  213^ 
Detroit  surrender  of,  38. 
Dominico,  British  hchoouer,  capture  of  the,  by  the  U. 

S.  schooner  Decatur,  14r. 
Duel,  56. 

Eagle,  British  tender,  capture  of  the,  190. 
East  port,  taken  by  the  enemy,  244. 
Eldridge,  lieutenant,  and  several  of  his  men  killed  by 

the  Indians,  105. 
Epervier,  British  brig,  taken  by   the  U.  S.  sloop  of 
*-  war  Pcacocl^,  373  :  lossof  the,  328. 
Erie.  British  fort,  taken  by  the  Americans,  86,  2i?0f 

attempt  of  the  enemy  to  storm,  258 ;  batteries  of 
^r  the  enemy  storme^l,  by  order  of  general  Brown^ 

261 ;  evacuated,  267. 
Etjsex  frigate,  cruise  of  the,  46,  267. 
Extracts  from  public  prints,  20,  25. 
Federal  Gazette,  destruction  of  the  office  of  the,  at 

Baliimore,  25 
Flotilla,  for  the  protection  of  the  Chesapeake  bay,  SSS^- 
Fort  Bel  view,  despemte  attack  on,  67. 
Fort  Boyer,  attack  of,  281,  296. 
Fort  Erie,  see  Erie. 

Fort  George,  taken  by  the  Americans,   84,  85  ;  at- 
tack on  pickets  at,  106,  10$^. 
Fort  Schlosser,  entered  by  the  enemy,  109. 
Fort  Philip,  defence  ofv  288 . 

Fort  WarburtoM,  evacuation  and  destruction  of,,  ^^\_ 
Forty -mile-creek,  transactiohs^t,  99. 
Foster^  Mr.  (Briush  Minii^r)  departure  of,  27„; 


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Franklin)  boatt  braTC  defence  of,  ^39. 

Frederick  fend  Gror^t town,  (Md  )  burned,    170: 

Frcncli-fnUli*,  nfTair  at,  59. 

Frenchvown  (Ka'uin)  mur^sacre  of  priHoneri  at,  69.  ' 

Frenchtown  (Klk  rivtr)  burnt- d,   lti9. 

Frolic,  Briiish  aloop,  taken  by  the   frk^p,  61  ^,  both 

sloops  tuk^n  by  thr  Fuicticrs,  62. 
Frolic,   U.  S.  sloop,  taken  by  the  enemy,  V74. 
Gaines,  general,  assumes  the  command  at  Eriei  259. 
Gardner's  Island,  ffTuir  at,  188. 
Gennesee  river,  cap  ures  on,  61. 
Georgc^s  Island,  landing  of  the  enemy  thereon,  ISS* 
Georgia  legislature,  proceedings  of,   197. 
Georgetown  burped  b>  the  enemy,  170.  — 

Ghent,  negociations  at,  301. 
Growler  and  Eagle,  U.  S.  sloops  taken  by  the  enemy' 

on  Lake  Cham  plain,   133. 
Growler  and  Julit,  U.  S.  vessels,  captured    by  tlie 

enemy  on  Lake  Ontario,   112. 
Guerriere,  British  frigate,  capture  of  the,  43. 
Gun-l>oat  No.  131,  taken  by  the  enemy,  180. 
Gun-boats  near  New-Orleans,  taken  by  the  enemy^ 

282. 
Gun-boats,  attacks  by,  on  the  enemy  near  Sandy* 

Hook  and  New -London,  241. 
Hamilton  and  Scourge,  U.  S.  schooners,  foundered* 

on  Lake  Ontario,  111. 
JHampton,  barbarous  proceedings  of  the  enemy  at,  175- 
Hardy,  British  commodore,  blockades  the  coast  oF 

New-England,  240. 
Harrison,  fTm.  Henry,  appointed  to  the  command  of> 

the  North  fTesteru  army,  66 ;  takes  Fort  Maiden, 

123;  pursues  the  enemy,   134;  overtakes  and  de« 

feats  him  at  the  Moravian  towus,  135  ;  discharges 

the  militia,  129;  arrives  with  his  army  at  Black* 

rock,  139. 
Harrisonfort^  attacker,  67. 
Havre-de-pf race,  transactions  of  tht  enemy  at,  W#* 
Historical ireirospect}  7. 


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Hornet,  U.  S.  sloop,  blockades  the  Bonno  Citoynne 
in  the  harbour  of  >t.  Salvador,  TS  ;  engages  and 
captures  the  British  brig  of  wur  Peacock,  id. ; 
challenges  captain  Greene  of  the  Bonne  Cituy- 
cnne,  79. 

Hull,  general,  appointed  to  command  the  North 
Western  army,  33;  seiz.ure  of  his  baggage  and 
hospital  stores,  34  ;  invades  Canada,  ib ;  hi^  pi  oc- 

•  lamation,26;  transactions  in  Canada,  S7 ;  evacua- 
tion of  Canada)  id ;  effect  on  the  public  mind,  65  ;, 
his  trial,  215. 

Imprisonment  of  American  citizens  taken  under 
arms,  on  the  plea  of  their  being  British  subjects, 
312;  retaliation,  ed ;  report  on  the  subject  made 
to  Congress,  by  the  secretary  of  state,  3 1 3. 

Indians,  North-Western,  exi^edition  against  the,  67;||^, 
sue  for  peace,  1 34 ;  inquiry  by  Congress  respect* 
lug,  194;  Southern,  hostility  of  the,  195;  engage* 
nients  with,  195,  196,  190,    199,  2O0,  30]  ;  peac«    « 
with,  211. 

Intercourse,  criminal,  with  the  enemy^  l&l. 

Izard,  general,  march  of,  from  Pittsburgh  to  Newf 
York,  566. 

Jackson,  general^  commands  the  forrei*  sent  against 
the  Southern  Indians,  198. 

Kent  Island,  in  the  Chesapeake,  taken  possession  o^- 
by  the  enemy,  182. 

La  Cole,  engagement  at,  2 1 8. 

Lawrence,  captain,  blockades  the  Bonne  Ciloyertne, 
75 ;  captures  the  brig  of  war  Peacock,  id ;  death 
of,  9 1 ;  honours  to  his  memory,  93, 94. 

Lewis,  commodore,  drives  the  enemy  from  Long- 
fsland  Sound,  189 ;  engages  the  enemy,  241 . 

L^wistown.  requisition  on, J  68;  bombardment  of^  '  69. 

Little  York,  in  Canada,  taken  by  the  Americans,  83. 

Long  point,  r:xpedirion  to,  223. 

Lower  Marlborough^  burning  of«properly  at,  226.    ^   ^ 

M'Ciure,  address  of,  to  the  patriots  of  the  western 
district,  155;  operations  of,  155>   157^  158  j  justi- 
fies his  conduct)  164. 


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IICDEX. 


M-W^' 


M'Keony  captain,  brare  conduct  of,  1 65. 
M*Donough,  commodore,    defeats     the  tntmf  ow 

Lake;i}liainplain,  269. 
Mucedohlaii,  BriiUh  frigate,  capture  of,  63. 
Maguago,  battle  (^>  41.^ 
Mttssasquei  bay,  al'Mr  at,  146. 
Meigs,  ibrt,  attack  oiV  80. 
j|    Mi«hilimackinttc,  taken  by  the  enemy,  QB  ;  expedl^- 

tion  against,  263  ;  barbarous  conduct  of  the  ene* 

my  to  prisoners,  265. 
Minis,  fort,  massacre  of  the  garrison  of,  196. 
Mix,  Air.  attemplof,te  destroy  the  Plantagenet  bj^ 

a  torpedo,  178. 
Mobile,  taken  by  general  ^Ikinson,  295. 
Moravian  towns,  battle  at 'the,  125. 
^^P^ount  Desart,  aflTair  at,  243. 
iNTauiilus,  U.  S  schooner,  taken  by  the  enemy,  21^   ' 
Navy.  Ust  of;  21,  306. 

#  Ncgnoca,  seizure  ofi  184. 

New-Orleans,  approach  of  the  enemy  to^  and   battli^ 

near,  283. 
New-York,  meeting  iiv  the  park  of,  347;  voluntary 

wolPk  on  the  fortification  of,  248. 
Niagara,  fort,  Gannonade  of^  54 ;  frontier  ravaged  by 

*  the  enemy,  159;    defence  of  by  captain  M*Keon, 
165>;liiken  by  the  enemy,  159. 

Norfolk,  attack  of,  170;  affair  near,  185. 

North  Carolina,  invasion  of  178. 

0"B<)yle,  James,  -offers  a  reward  for  the  head  or  ea^ 

of  Admiral  Cockburn,  176. 
Odeltown,  en«;agementat,  218. 
O^densburg,  bombardment  of,  60. 
0*Neil,  conduct  of  at  Huvre-de-Grace,  170. 
Oswego,  fort  attack  of,  2 1 9. 
Otter-creek,  defence  of,  223. 
Owl-head-narrows,  alFair  at,  186. 
Fagan  creek,  the  enemy  repulsed  at,  176. 
Paris  taken.  216;  effect  on  the  war,  21 6,-  239. 
Penny.  Joshua,  taken  by  the  enemy,   189. 
Pensacoja  entered  by  the  American  army,  29§.  • 


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Perry,  commodore,  defeats  and  captures  the  enemj^;^ 
.^    on  Lake  Erie,  117;  statement  oi  the  fof ce  of  th<ft 

American  and  Bruish  ileets,    119;   1  .conic    letter, 

121  ;  co-o{icrutes  with  gener  ;1  HurrisOn,  123. 
Petti pau^,  capture  of  by  th(g^  en<»my,  240. 
Pike,  general,  death  of,  83. 
Placard,  146. 

Plattsburg  entered  by  the  enemy,  133;  battle,  at,  2tl, 
Point  Petre,  carried  by  storm,  294.    « 
Preface,  3. 

Preparation  for  war,  29.  ,4; 

President's  Message,  14. 

President  Frigate*  capiur^^d  by  the  enemy,  297, 
Pf  evost  general,  prociumation  by.  45. 
Pi  izes»  i  umber  of  captured  during  the  war,  30S. 
PiiUne^  ville.  enemy  at,  222. 
<^ueenstown,(Ches<«peake  bay)  entered  by  the  en» 

my.  183.  ^ 

QaeenstO!!,  battle  of  46  to  5 1. 

Recruiting  commenced,  30.  " 

Reindeer,  British  brig,  taken  by  the  Wasp  374, 
Hodgers.  cominodorf.  cruise  of  22,  74|  153. 
Hubsian  mediation,  300. 
Socket's  Harbour,  attack  of,  43,  88. 
5a!wl  Hills,  affair  at,  183.  ^ 

^andy  Creek,  aff  »ir  at,  22 1. 
Saybrook,  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  land  at,  188. 
()cituate,  enemy  at,  243. 

Socudder'a,  Mr.  attempt  to  destroy  the  Hamilies,  187 li 
Smyth,  general,  proclamation  of,  52;  preparation  for 

a  descent  on  Canada,  55  ;  abandons  the  design,  id, 

his  motives,  id,  statement  by   general   Porter,  56 ; 

duel,i^  ;  reply  of  general  Smyth  to  general  Porter's 

statement,  57. 
Squamt  enemy  at^  244. 
Stoney  creek,  buttle  of,  96;  retreat  of  the  Americas 

army,  98. 
St.  Lawrence,  successful  cruise  on  the,  107. 
St  Lawrence,  a  British  ship  of  90  guns^  on  lake  On- 

tiHrio,  266. 


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INDEX. 


S^Inigoes,  landing  of  the  enemy  at,  23d. 
»f.  Michael's  (Chesapeake  Bay)  attack  on,  182t 
St.  Mary's,  capitulation  of,   294. 
St.  \lary*8  river,  transactions  on,  297. 
Stoninirton,  the  enemy's  </a«A  at,  244. 
Suspension  of  hostilities,  41. 
Syren,  IT.  S.  brig,  capture  of,  by  the  enemy,  299. 
Tecumseh,  death  of,   128. 
Tennessf^e  legislature,  resolution  of,  17. 
Treat,  captain,  disndsiial  from  the  army,  251  ;  trisil 

and  acquittal  of,  252. 
Treaty  of  peace  ratified,  302> 

United  'i  ates  and  Macedonian,  frigates,  and  Hornet, 
sail  from  New-York,  186;  chased  into  New-Lon- 
don, ib. 
Van  Rensselaer  enters  Canada,  46;   takes  a  redoubt 
4%on  the  heights  of  Qut^enston,  48 ;  defeat  and  sur* 
re    'er  of  the  American  army,    50 ;  treatment   of 
prisoners,  51  ;  resignation  of  the  general,  ib  i  re- 
port   '"colonel  Mullat  y,  note,  49. 
Vermont,  governor  of,  calls  home   the   militia  from 

the  service  of  the  United  States,  192. 
Viper,  United  Slates*  brig,  taken  by  the   enemy,  tS, 
Vixen,  U.  S  brig,  taken  by  the  enemy,  95. 
War  declared  by  proclamalion,  19 
AVarreri,  admiral,  arrival  of,  iit  H.dif  »x,   1 67  ;  off  N. 
York,  ib  ;  bUckadcs  the  Chesapeake'bay,  and  Dela-. 
ware,  )  68  ;  blockades  Long-Ii*land  sound,  193. 
Washington  city,  approach  to,  and  capture  of,  by  the: 
♦^nemy,  227,  to  231.  ; 

W^ethcrford,  speech  of,  81 1. 

Wilkinson  ganeral,  proceeds  toward  Montreal,  135; 
abandons  the  design,   and  goes  into  winter  quar- 
ters,  144. 
Williams,  Mrs  bravery  of,  135. 
Wiiliamsburgh,  battle  of,  14 1 ,  1 45. 
Winchester,  general,  defeat  of,  at  Frenchtown,    61. 
tniissacre  of  his  men^  69, 


8. 

>D,  1S2. 


cmy,  299» 
y,  251  5  triil 


and  Hornet, 
ito  New-Lon- 

es  a  redoubt 
feat  and  sur- 
treatment  of 
eral,  ib  ;  re- 
militia  from 
enemy,  75. 

167;  off  N. 
ay,  and  Dtla-. 
nd, 192. 
ire  of,  by  the : 


intrea],  135; 
winter  quar- 


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